Akume, Jega, Mahe Seek Private Sector Involvement In Livestock Development

Secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and minister of Livestock Development, Dr Mukhtar Idi Mahe, have called for the participation of the private sector in the livestock industry.

They called for bold and coordinated reforms to reposition sector as a driver of exports, food security and rural economic growth.

The trio spoke at the Blueprint Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards held yesterday in Abuja.

Its theme was “Exploring the Potential of Livestock Exports in Nigeria.”

Organised by Blueprint Media Group, the event brought together top policymakers, scholars, industry players, and development advocates.

Akume, who chaired the occasion, praised Blueprint Newspapers for providing a platform that “recognises innovation, drives national discourse and promotes excellence across sectors.”

He emphasised the critical role of the media in shaping public opinion and holding leaders accountable, describing it as a “compass for national development.”

According to him, Nigeria is sitting on an untapped goldmine in the livestock sector.

“We export millions of livestock informally, yet we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible.

For his part, Mahe reiterated the administration’s resolve to transform the livestock sector through structural reforms, private sector engagement, and enhanced export capacity.

He said Nigeria’s livestock population – 58 million cattle, 60 million sheep, 124 million goats, and nearly 10 million pigs has the capacity to boost GDP and create millions of jobs.

Delivering the keynote address, Jega described the livestock sector as a “strategic pillar” of national development and warned of looming nutritional and economic crises if structural inefficiencies are not urgently addressed.

“The livestock industry contributes 7–10 percent of agricultural GDP and supports over 20 million Nigerians. But it faces systemic challenges, outdated production systems, weak animal health services, underinvestment, and violent resource conflicts,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria’s rising population, expected to reach 400 million by 2050, would require a 250% increase in poultry meat, 117% in beef, and 577% in milk production to meet domestic demand. Failure to act decisively, he warned, could trigger severe protein shortages and deepen rural poverty.

“We must move beyond business-as-usual. This is an opportunity for economic reform and peace-building. The president’s Livestock Reform Initiative is a step in the right direction, but it requires collective action — from the federal and state governments, private sector, and civil society,” Jega urged.

He also advocated for climate-smart livestock systems, inclusive value chains, and deliberate investments in infrastructure, ranching, and veterinary services.

 

 

 

In his goodwill message, the minister of solid minerals development, Dr Dele Alake, stressed the need for responsible journalism and modernised livestock practices.

 

 

 

He decried the decline in ethical standards across Nigeria’s media landscape, blaming the rise of unregulated social media and misinformation.

“We now see the unchecked spread of unverified information, driven by social media users who lack the necessary literacy and training. Yet, in the midst of all this, Blueprint stands out as a professional, consistent, and responsible news platform,” Alake said.

Alake, a veteran journalist and former commissioner for information in Lagos State, praised the paper’s founder, whom he described as a personal friend and media ally, for championing developmental journalism when Nigeria needs it most.

He commended the event’s theme, stating that poor livestock practices have led to unnecessary conflicts and stunted the sector’s growth.

“We cannot continue in the outdated practice of open grazing. Ranching is the modern alternative; it reduces farmer-herder conflicts and expands the livestock value chain,” he said.

Alake expressed confidence in the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and its presidential coordinator, Prof Jega, stating that if properly managed, livestock could even surpass oil in economic impact.

 

 

 

“If we do it right, livestock can rival or even surpass oil in GDP contribution. It’s time to modernise and move forward,” he said, while congratulating the awardees and urging Blueprint to sustain its legacy of excellence.

 

 

 

 

 

As Nigeria aspires to become a major livestock-exporting nation, the speakers agreed that effective policy, investment, and collaboration are crucial to unlocking the sector’s vast potential.

 

 

 

The minister of state for regional development, Hon Uba Maigari Ahmadu, opened his remarks with a personal anecdote about how the newspaper’s unique back-page column first drew his attention.

 

 

 

“Gradually, from the back page, I got used to other parts of the newspaper,” he said, adding that learning about the founder later made the experience even more engaging.

 

 

 

He also commended Prof. Jega and Dr Mahe for revitalising the livestock sector.

 

 

 

“Nigerians will reap the benefits of this population of high-net-worth intellectuals,” he congratulated the awardees.

 

 

 

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Prof. Joseph Utsev, who was among the honorees, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Blueprint for the recognition and reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to national development.

 

 

 

“Water is life,” he said, “and we are doing our best to make life meaningful through sustainable water and sanitation initiatives.”

 

 

 

Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, centred her goodwill message on women’s empowerment in the livestock sector. She noted that 70% of smallholder farmers in Nigeria are women and emphasised the need for financial inclusion.

 

 

 

“Women will no longer do the work while others collect the money. We aim to empower women to feed not only Nigeria, but Africa and the world,” she declared.

 

 

 

She linked livestock reforms to broader national goals such as addressing insecurity, gender-based violence, and malnutrition.

 

 

 

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Hon Mohammed Idris, expressed personal pride in Blueprint’s growth, recalling his early role in establishing the newspaper.

 

 

 

“What we started has continued to flourish,” he said, reaffirming President Tinubu’s commitment to press freedom.

He urged media practitioners to balance press freedom with social responsibility.

“While holding leaders to account, journalists must also be aware of their responsibility to keep society together. “There must be a balance between press freedom and national unity,” he said.

Mallam Salisu Umar, managing director and chief executive officer of Blueprint Newspaper, also called for national reflection and renewed commitment to development.

Opening his remarks with a moment of silence for a former Nigerian president who recently passed away, Umar welcomed dignitaries and guests to the commemorative event. He reflected on the newspaper’s journey since its inception.

“Your presence here today is a demonstration of your belief in us as a dependable media ally,” Umar said, recounting Blueprint’s evolution from a weekly publication in 2011 to a nationally respected media brand.

He praised the organisation’s resilience through challenges — including the COVID-19 pandemic — and acknowledged the dedication of its founding leadership, editorial team, and award selection committee.

Umar said the Impact Series, launched in 2018, was designed to foster dialogue on urgent national issues and recognise those who have made outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s growth. He announced that Prof Attahiru Jega, a renowned scholar and reformist, would deliver this year’s lecture.

He also celebrated the selection of top dignitaries as honourees, including former Rivers State governor and current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, for his impactful infrastructure legacy.

The event drew a high-profile audience, including the SGF, Sen. Akume; the deputy Senate president, Sen. Barau Jibrin; ministers; royal fathers; and dignitaries from the public and private sectors.

The goodwill messages underscored shared goals across ministries: strengthening food systems, promoting unity, empowering women, and sustaining responsible journalism for Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.