The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector by laying the foundation for the Gombe Ultra-Modern Abattoir, a project hailed as a “game changer” by the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha.
Speaking during a ceremony held over the weekend in Gombe State, Minister Maiha, alongside Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, described the abattoir as a key component of the Gombe Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone — an initiative of the state government aimed at boosting agricultural and livestock value chains, creating jobs, and promoting food security.
The abattoir is designed to process 500 cattle, 1,000 sheep and goats, and 3,000 poultry birds daily.
According to the Minister, the facility will be supported by creating “Jewel Feedlot Estates” to ensure a steady supply of quality livestock. This will emphasise youth and women’s empowerment through commercial ranching and pasture production.
“Nigeria currently consumes about 360,000 tons of beef annually, far below optimal levels. The construction of this abattoir aligns with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which aims to modernise the sector, promote animal health, and ensure food safety,” Maiha noted.
He called on agencies and departments to uphold mandatory certifications for feedlots and ranches and equip the new abattoir with state-of-the-art facilities operated by trained professionals to meet international standards for local consumption and global export.
Governor Yahaya praised the federal government’s support, particularly under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming the livestock and agricultural sectors through targeted investments and inclusive policies.
“Our goal is to enhance productivity, resilience, and commercialisation across the value chain. We have already worked with the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Project (L-PRES) to revamp grazing reserves, redemarcate stock routes, and address water supply issues in the 144,000-hectare Wawa Zange reserve,” Yahaya said.
He also emphasized ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders through vaccination campaigns and inter-community engagement.
The event featured goodwill messages from the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar; the National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Othman Baba Ngelzarma; and Ambassador Emmanuel Nelson Usman, Chairman of ABIS Group, who encouraged local butchers to adopt modern meat processing methods.
During his two-day visit, the minister toured the Emir’s livestock facilities and equestrian centre, praising the traditional institution’s role in preserving cultural heritage and livestock production.
The Emir assured him of continued support in mobilising citizens to embrace livestock development initiatives.
In Yamaltu-Deba LGA, the Minister visited Greenspa Multy Services Limited, an integrated poultry and livestock farm with 25,000 laying birds producing 135,000 eggs daily and employing over 50 youths.
The farm plans to expand into broiler production and cattle breeding to leverage the new abattoir’s opportunities.
Maiha pledged technical support and described the farm as a model for livestock modernisation in the region.
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