Livestock Minister Targets Jobs, Food Security

Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s livestock sector as a driver of employment, peace, and food security.

At a gathering of livestock reporters, Maiha said the ministry had developed a National Livestock Resilience Strategy (NLRS) to guide policies and programmes over the next five years.

“The creation of this ministry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a blessing to the country. It offers opportunities for wealth creation, job creation, food security, and stability in rural communities,” he said.
Maiha disclosed that 16 state governments have now set up ministries or agencies dedicated to livestock development, up from only three states a year ago.
He added that the sector is attracting international interest, with foreign investors, including leading Brazilian agribusiness firms, in talks with the government.

According to him, the ministry has already embarked on projects such as pasture cultivation, feedlot establishment, abattoir revamping, and animal health initiatives, all geared toward boosting meat and milk production and strengthening the livestock value chain.

On peacebuilding, Maiha said sustainable development in the sector cannot be achieved without security and harmony between farmers and herders. He revealed that the ministry would soon launch a national peace campaign involving traditional and community leaders to foster lasting stability.

The minister also reaffirmed the government’s decision to relocate animals from Abuja city centre, stressing that the measure formed part of broader peace and modernisation efforts.

“Our countryside should have tractors, not armoured personnel carriers. Milking machines should replace machine guns. We want peace, and we will achieve peace,” Maiha stressed.

Earlier, director of Ruminant and Monogastric Development, Dr. Victor Egbon, who represented the permanent secretary, underscored the centrality of communication in shaping public perception and advancing the livestock agenda.

The retreat, themed, “Driving Livestock Growth Through Strategic Communication,” brought together resource persons and stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of journalists in reporting livestock development.

Delivering the first paper, president of the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Peter Dama, emphasised the role of the media in amplifying the livestock sector’s progress.

He noted that the industry provides employment and food security and contributes to the nation’s GDP while facing challenges such as disease outbreaks, limited financing, and infrastructural gaps.

Dama urged journalists to adopt development communication approaches in their reportage, stressing that “without the press, it will be extremely difficult to pass good messages across.”

He called for participatory reporting that involves livestock associations and community leaders, warning that reforms such as ranching would fail without grassroots engagement.

In the second presentation, Dr. Ishaq Bello explained the livestock value chain, distinguishing between agriculture and agribusiness.

He said the focus must shift from subsistence farming to profitable enterprises that integrate production, storage, processing, and marketing.

Bello also clarified the differences between ranches, farms, grazing reserves, and stock routes, highlighting that effective management of grazing reserves and routes remains key to reducing conflicts between farmers and herders.

The third paper, presented by Dr. Cletus Akwaya, former group managing director of Leadership Newspaper, focused on ethical and investigative reporting.

He traced the evolution of journalism and highlighted the distinctions between professional, scholastic, and citizen journalism.

Akwaya urged livestock correspondents to uphold professionalism, stressing that accurate, ethical reporting was critical to de-stigmatising the livestock sector, shaping public understanding, and influencing government policy.

The retreat continues with further sessions expected to explore digital tools, multimedia strategies for agricultural journalism and practical approaches to livestock sector reportage.