The minister of livestock development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into a thriving hub for economic growth, employment, and sustainable development.
Speaking at a two-day focus group discussion on sustainable livestock development in Abuja, Maiha highlighted the federal government’s commitment to tackling key challenges in the sector.
These include resolving farmer-herder conflicts, modernising livestock practices, and enhancing value chains to attract investments.
“The days of lamentation should be over. Nigerians are looking for a change in the livestock sub-sector—affordable meat and dairy products, and a resolution to farmer-herder conflicts. We can’t afford to fail,” Maiha declared.
He detailed plans to integrate technology into livestock management, including leveraging drones for real-time monitoring of cattle movement and collaborating with security agencies to address conflict hotspots.
The ministry also aims to develop grazing reserves, pasturelands, and meat processing facilities to boost productivity.
Maiha emphasised collaboration with stakeholders across academia, donor organisations, private investors, and other agencies, promising a transparent, result-oriented approach.
The minister outlined the ministry’s primary objectives: Modernising livestock practices, promoting livestock value chains for economic growth, attracting domestic and foreign investments, creating employment opportunities, and reducing poverty through innovation and partnerships.
Maiha assured attendees of the ministry’s readiness to implement actionable proposals. “We have the human resources and the mandate to make a difference. With the recommendations from this forum, we will deliver tangible results for Nigerians,” he said.
During discussions, experts explored critical themes such as animal health, livestock entrepreneurship, grazing reserves, and sustainable feed production.
Stakeholders were urged to provide practical, actionable recommendations to drive swift implementation.
A veterinary surgeon and retired civil service director, Dr Ezenwa Mwakonobi, praised the Ministry of Livestock Development establishment as a “long-awaited initiative,” emphasising the need for harmonised efforts among professionals.
“We aim to harmonise ideas for the betterment of the livestock industry,” Mwakonobi said.
Livestock entrepreneur Miriam Ladi-Truman identified challenges in the dairy sector, including high operational costs due to unreliable electricity and limited financing options for small-scale farmers.
She called for cooperative structures to improve funding access and agricultural insurance to mitigate risks.
Producer Mohamed Bello Lutukur highlighted the sector’s economic potential, noting its diversity beyond beef to include dairy, hides, biogas, and more.
He applauded recent government initiatives, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Brazil, spotlighting Nigeria’s efforts to enhance agricultural productivity.
“This initiative isn’t just about beef. It includes dairy, mutton, goat products, and more. The focus on actionable steps is already yielding results,” Lutukur noted.
The Ministry of Livestock Development has also launched public sensitisation campaigns using digital media and creative approaches, such as dance dramas, to attract investment and raise awareness about opportunities within the livestock value chain.
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