Livestock Sector Lags Despite $32bn Potential

The federal government has raised concern over Nigeria’s low consumption of meat and milk, warning that weak livestock productivity is limiting access to animal protein and slowing growth in the sector.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the trend reflects years of underinvestment and poor integration of the livestock sector into the formal economy.

Speaking at a policy forum in Kaduna, Maiha said the government is shifting from planning to implementation to unlock the sector’s economic potential.

“For over 60 years, the livestock sector remained largely outside the formal economy. Today, we are taking deliberate steps to mainstream a $32 billion opportunity,” he said.

He said reforms are focused on improving animal health, feeding systems, market access and value addition to boost productivity and farmers’ incomes.

Maiha added that increasing access to animal-source protein remains a priority, noting that Nigeria’s consumption levels rank among the lowest in Africa.

“We are not just talking about potential anymore; we are acting to ensure Nigerians have access to nutritionally balanced diets,” he said.

Stakeholders at the forum stressed the need to align policies with realities in disease control, feed supply and farm productivity.

They also called for stronger communication strategies to reshape public perception of agriculture and attract investment into the sector.

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations said it would establish an Agriculture and Food Security Hub to drive advocacy, stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing.