The Nation Newspaper

Tag: livestock

  • Fed Govt moves to turn livestock into growth engine

    Fed Govt moves to turn livestock into growth engine

    The Federal Government has set up a new Technical Sub-Committee under the National Economic Council (NEC) to drive the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

    This aims to boost economic growth, improve food security, and strengthen unity across the country.

    The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, announced this yesterday during the first meeting of the sub-committee at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

    The minister said the team was created to harmonise existing policies and ideas and turn them into a clear and practical plan that the National Economic Council can approve and begin to carry out without delay.

    He said the NEC had formed a high-level committee on livestock development, led by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.

    The committee, the minister said, comprises governors from the six geopolitical zones, key ministers, and the co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development.

    But because of the busy schedules of governors and the urgent need to move quickly, the NEC, Bagudu said, has agreed to create a smaller technical team that would handle the detailed work and speed up the process.

    “Our task is not to reinvent the wheel. A considerable body of work already exists. What is required now is to distil these reports into a clear, practical implementation roadmap that the National Economic Council can adopt without delay,” Bagudu said.

    The minister stated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s personal interest in livestock development, describing it as a part of a broader shift in how the country sees agriculture and economic growth.

    He said the President viewed livestock not as a small or side activity but as a major part of Nigeria’s plan to improve food production, create jobs, and grow the economy.

    “Mr. President has consistently said that livestock is not a marginal activity but a central economic driver for food security, agricultural productivity, and inclusive growth. His decision to personally chair the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development reflects this clarity of purpose,” Bagudu said.

    Read Also: NEC sets up committee to fast-track livestock development

    The minister alluded to the creation of a separate Ministry of Livestock Development as a sign that the government now treats the sector as a key part of the economy rather than just a section under agriculture.

    He explained that the President’s work with the National Economic Council fitted into Nigeria’s federal system, where the federal, state, and local governments share the responsibility for agriculture and food security, including livestock.

    “Livestock development requires collaboration across all tiers of government. As the institution mandated to coordinate national development planning, this ministry serves as the secretariat of our federal system, ensuring that national plans, budgets, and programmes are aligned, mutually reinforcing, and implemented collaboratively rather than in isolation,” he said.

    Bagudu listed several funding and support programmes that states and communities can benefit from.

    These, the minister said, include the World Bank-backed Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, NG-CARES, the Nigeria for Women Programme, and the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Plan.

    He explained that the ward-based plan is designed to identify and support business and economic opportunities in all 8,809 wards across the country.

    Bagudu advised state commissioners to take full responsibility for the process.

    The minister noted that when the NEC accepts the committee’s recommendations, it will make it easier for states and local governments to commit more resources.

    He added that clear and stable policies would also attract development partners, impact investors, and private businesses by reducing risks and building confidence in the sector.

    Bagudu also spoke about the tensions that sometimes surround livestock production in different parts of the country.

    According to him, the work of the sub-committee should help in changing how people see the sector, turning it into a source of shared prosperity instead of conflict.

    The director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, described the meeting as an important step in moving forward the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

    He said food security is closely connected to economic growth and national development.

    The director added that the ministry remained committed to coordinating efforts across the country to achieve lasting results.

    The meeting brought together key officials and experts involved in agriculture, planning, and livestock development.

    Those present included Senator Bagudu, as chairman of the sub-committee; Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, representing the Permanent Secretary; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness, Mr. Kingsley Uzoma; the Cross River State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. Michael Odere; the Kebbi State Commissioner for Budget and Planning Dr. Abba Kalgo; and the Niger State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Mustapha Ndajiwo.

    Others were the Director of Special Duties in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Gloria Ahmed; the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar; the Executive Director of Niger Foods, Mr. Ola Oloyede; a livestock systems specialist and policy adviser, Dr Winnie Lai-Solarin; and the Minister of Livestock, Alhaji Idi Maiha.

    With the new technical team now in place, the government says the next step is to turn years of research, policies, and reports into a clear action plan that can help modernise livestock production, improve the lives of farmers and herders, and support Nigeria’s wider goals of economic growth and national stability.

  • Academy to bridge knowledge, skill gaps in livestock value chain

    Academy to bridge knowledge, skill gaps in livestock value chain

    The ABIS Livestock Academy will bridge critical knowledge and skill gaps within the livestock work force, enhance productivity and value chain efficiency. It will also enhance food safety, support regulatory compliance and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on livestock-related imports by modernising production and processing systems.

    Speaking during the Technical Expert Validation session of the Curriculum of the Academy at NIRSAL auditorium, the Co-Founder of ABIS Group, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki said at the heart of the Academy’s mandate is a national development objective – to produce a competent, compliant and commercially viable livestock workforce capable of strengthening food security, promoting inclusive rural development, improving public health outcomes and positioning Nigeria as a credible participant in regional and global livestock, halal and agribusiness markets.

    This is in line with the aspirations of ABIS Group Founder & Chairman, Ambassador Emmanuel Nelson Usman who at the earlier unveiling of the Academy said it is a national platform dedicated to technical training, certification, and institutional knowledge transfer in the livestock value chain.

    “The Academy will equip young Nigerians, extension workers, and industry professionals with the skills required for primary production, processing, market development, research, and sustainability,” he added.

    Expounding on the curriculum under validation, Gashinbaki explained that it adopts a tiered, competency-based approach rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

    Read Also: Individuals must file tax returns by March 31, employers, January 31 – Oyedele

    “The curriculum progresses from foundational learning to advanced professional specialisation. It provides foundational skills for smallholders and new entrants through short entry-level courses, applied training certificate programmes for supervisors and enterprise operators and at its highest level, professional certification programmes for senior managers, policymakers, and consultants. Across all levels, the curriculum emphasises hands-on learning and aligns with national and international standards in animal health, food safety, quality assurance and agribusiness development.”

    Developing the curriculum under review took a tortuous but necessary process.

    Experts were assembled to examine all the key areas of the Livestock value chain before embarking on the design. The draft then went through sectorial reviews at different stages as well as peer reviews among sector experts. The draft curriculum was then produced for validation.

    The next step after the validation would be to approach the regulators to present what has been done and the quality of the output.  It is at this point that discussions on certifications can begin.

    To ensure relevance and impact, the Technical Expert Validation Session brought together specialists from veterinary and public health, food safety and certification agencies, agribusiness finance, livestock processing, digital agriculture, academia, and key policy and development partners.

    The day-long session featured lively discussions from participants who made quality inputs to deepen the curriculum drawn from the following agencies: National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); Nigerian Institute of Animal Science; Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS); Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD); Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN; Veterinary Council of Nigeria; Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI); Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria; Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association;); L-PRES; UN Consult;; Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI); Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ); Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee; Tati Tech; Nasrun Nig Ltd; Dan Al Halal; Dr. Winnie Lai-Solarin; ARCN  and NIRSAL.

  • Tilling on hard ground

    Tilling on hard ground

    Nigeria’s agricultural landscape in 2025 presents a paradoxical picture of cautious optimism shadowed by persistent structural challenges. Beneath agricultural figures lies a more complex reality of technological promise wrestling with harsh institutional and environmental constraints, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    The year began with an institutional shift with the Ministry of Livestock Development marshalling the National Livestock Master Plan, which acknowledges that livestock, contributing roughly 17 per cent of agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), could no longer be relegated to secondary status behind crop farming. 

    At the sub-national level, Lagos State government also launched ambitious initiatives including the N500 billion “Produce for Lagos” programme.  Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya said that the initiative is an intervention to transform Lagos’ food ecosystem through public-private partnerships engagement. Olusanya said that the programme would focus on private sector investment, bulk aggregation towards reducing costs, streamlining food value chains as well as reducing post-harvest losses.She added that the initiative is in collaboration with some states and the private sector would not only promote urban agriculture but also establish food supply partnerships with other states to compensate for Lagos’ land limitations.

    “The programme targets robust inter-state collaboration and private sector involvement as essential to achieving food resilience and market stability in Nigeria’s commercial capital. These moves signal governmental recognition that agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economic survival and food security objectives.

    The year witnessed an unprecedented surge in agri-tech interventions, from AI-driven soil mapping to drone-assisted pest monitoring. These innovations have indeed increased productivity for large-scale commercial farms with access to capital and infrastructure. The Bank of Agriculture announced ongoing reforms to improve access to finance for farmers, including digitalisation of agricultural lending for faster credit delivery and plans to raise the N250,000 maximum limit on micro-loans for smallholder farmers. Foreign partnerships also show promise, with Qatar expressing investment interest in  the agricultural sector during high-level discussions in May 2025. The African Development Bank, in collaboration with the  government, inaugurated the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Project in Kaduna, part of a broader strategy to address food insecurity and modernize agricultural practices.

    Read Also: Tinubu must complete eight years as president – Wike

    Markets in Lagos and other key cities markets have recorded a marginal reduction in the prices of some staple foods, offering relief to consumers grappling with months of steep inflation. However, market data reveal conflicting trends, with gains in affordability for some items offset by fresh surges in others.

    The prices of food items such as rice, garri and yam  reduced drastically across the nation.

    A 50kg bag of rice which was usually sold for N75,000 now sells for N60,000. A 10kg gallon of garri which was sold for N7,600 in November now sells for N5,000. Also, a tuber of yam which was initially purchased at N2,500 now sells for N1,900, while a 50kg bag of beans, which was bought at N34,000 previously, now sells for N30,000.

    In Lagos, the price of rice has equally dropped significantly Mushin and Daleko markets,  the price of a 50kg pof rice now goes for N54,000 away from N75,000 which it was sold in Novermber and before then.

     Observations

    However, the gap between policy ambition and ground reality remains troublingly wide. The crop sector showed modest recovery in 2025, particularly for staples such as  rice, maize, and cassava. This rebound stemmed largely from improved rainfall patterns in the North-West and South-West zones and a gradual stabilisation of the Naira, which helped reduce the cost of imported agricultural inputs.

    The nation’s continued reliance on rain-fed agriculture, which dominates the farming landscape, leaves food production vulnerable to climate shocks. Excessive flooding in states  such as Borno and Bauchi earlier in the year exposed the catastrophic inadequacy of drainage and irrigation infrastructure, which still covers less than 1% of total arable land. The 2025 National Agricultural Extension Review and Planning Meeting, held at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria in early December, brought these contradictions into sharp focus. The four-day gathering of 229 participants from National Agricultural Research Institutes, Agricultural Development Programmes, and various development agencies painted a sobering picture of the sector’s operational challenges. Climate change emerged as an existential threat, with flood-related losses now exceeding N700 billion annually. Farmers reported grappling with irregular rainfall, heat stress, pest outbreaks, soil degradation, recurrent flooding, and climate-induced conflicts that compound the already difficult task of feeding a growing population. Over the course of the meeting, 26 ADPs and 11 NARIs presented their extension reports, which were technically reviewed, leading to the adoption of a harmonized 2026 calendar of extension activities.

    Participants expressed deep concern over the devastating effects of climate change on Nigeria’s farming systems, noting that flood related losses now exceed N700 billion annually, with farmers grappling with irregular rainfall, heat stress, pest outbreaks, soil degradation, recurrent flooding and climate induced conflicts.

    They also observed that unreliable internet access, low digital literacy and minimal use of smartphones for agricultural purposes continue to hinder e-extension service delivery.

    The meeting further noted that women, youth and persons with disabilities remained key contributors to agriculture but still faced systemic barriers in accessing land, credit, technology and training.

    Stakeholders lamented the extremely low extension worker-to-farmer ratio of 1:6,466 far below the FAO recommendation of 1:800.

    The post-harvest loss crisis represents another hemorrhaging wound in  the  agricultural economy. Current estimates place annual losses at a staggering N3.5 trillion, with up to 40% of harvested crops perishing before reaching consumers. This figure far exceeds the African average and reflects the chronic inadequacy of storage facilities, inefficient transportation networks, limited access to modern preservation technologies, and critically deficient cold chain infrastructure.

    To improve the storage of perishable goods and pharmaceutical products, the Netherlands government, in partnership with Lagos State, developed and launched the Polar Store, an innovative solar-powered cold storage infrastructure in the state.

    Funding constraints continue to strangle the sector’s potential. At the extension services level, only 4-8% of the already meager agricultural budget reaches those crucial advisory services. The extension worker-to-farmer ratio stands at an alarming 1:6,466, far below the FAO recommendation of 1:800. This severe deficit leaves smallholder farmers without the technical knowledge necessary to adopt high-yield seeds, implement effective pest control methods, or navigate the increasingly complex agricultural landscape. Delayed release of research funds further hampers innovation, creating a vicious cycle where knowledge generation and dissemination both suffer.

     The stakeholders at the Zaria extension meeting noted that unreliable internet access, low digital literacy, and minimal use of smartphones for agricultural purposes continue to hinder e-extension service delivery. The average smallholder, often located in areas with poor connectivity and no access to credit, according to the meeting remains excluded from this technological revolution. Without deliberate efforts to democratize these technologies through affordable mechanization and mobile-based extension services, the meeting noted that the sector’s growth will likely remain concentrated among wealthy agro-industrialists, exacerbating existing inequalities.

    The livestock subsector, despite receiving new institutional attention, continues to struggle with fundamental value chain problems. The transition from open grazing to ranching systems, while gaining policy traction, faces resistance and implementation challenges. High animal mortality rates and poor veterinary health infrastructure plague the industry.

    The 2025 extension review meeting concluded with recommendations for intensified development and dissemination of climate-smart technologies, improved digital literacy for farmers, targeted empowerment programmes for vulnerable groups, recruitment of more extension agents, adequate budgetary allocation with timely fund release, strengthened farmer outreach mechanisms, strict regulation ensuring subsidized inputs reach genuine farmers, improved infrastructure and rural security, and greater professionalism in agricultural appointments. A committee was constituted to consolidate these outcomes and guide follow-up actions.

  • NEC sets up committee to fast-track livestock development

    NEC sets up committee to fast-track livestock development

    …enduring solution to farmer-herder crisis key to food security — Shettima

    …Kebbi governor to chair six-zone panel

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has constituted a high-level committee on livestock development to accelerate the implementation of reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector and resolving the long-running farmer-herder crisis.

    The committee was set up on Wednesday during the 155th meeting of the NEC, held virtually, as Vice President Kashim Shettima said only a practical, enduring, and nationally accepted solution to the farmer-herder conflict would guarantee food security in the country.

    The Livestock Development Committee is made up of one representative from each of the six geo-political zones: Bauchi State for the North-East, Niger State for the North-Central, Ondo State for the South-West, Imo State for the South-East, Cross River State for the South-South, and Kebbi State for the North-West.

    The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, will chair the committee.

    Other members include the Ministers of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Food Security; Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness in the Office of the Vice President.

    NEC directed the committee to work with relevant stakeholders to review the recommendations of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee (PLRC) and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Livestock Development, as well as identify states willing to participate in the implementation of the programme.

    The move follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of Wednesday, December 10, 2025, mandating the NEC to collaborate with the Ministry of Livestock Development to produce a clear roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry.

    The ministry subsequently developed a proposal presented to the council for endorsement, to reposition the livestock sector as a modern, peaceful, and profitable engine of national development.

    Read Also: Banditry: We will protect our people, says Aiyedatiwa

    In his opening remarks, Vice President Shettima, who chairs NEC, said food security was a moral obligation to Nigerians but stressed that it could not be achieved without addressing the root causes of farmer-herder violence.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “we must acknowledge with absolute regret the deep distrust created by this violence, born out of a trade and an ancestral practice that ought to have remained a central pillar of our food security and rural economy.

    “The loss of lives, the destruction of homes, and the devastation of farmlands must end”, he said.

    According to him, mismanagement of long-standing tensions between farmers and herders had fuelled conflicts that have spread across the country.

    “What started as a challenge of coexistence gradually hardened into cycles of violence that were allowed to persist for far too long without a durable solution.

    “Today, that violence respects no geography. It has become a shared nightmare that has scarred every region, disrupted livelihoods, and eroded trust between neighbours who once relied on one another for survival”, the Vice President said.

    Shettima commended President Tinubu for what he described as a bold initiative to integrate livestock production into the national economy, noting that the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development underscored the administration’s commitment to the sector.

    He urged state governors to take the livestock development presentations by the ministry and the PLRC seriously, saying the sector offered major opportunities for economic transformation, conflict resolution, and the restoration of peace in affected communities.

    “The presentations before us today offer critical insight into responses designed to confront these realities. They speak directly to stabilising our food systems, restoring confidence in rural economies, and reducing the security pressures that flow from competition over land, water, and livelihoods.

    “At their core, these presentations seek to dispel the false choice between agriculture and security by demonstrating that both are inseparable pillars of national stability,” Shettima added.

    He assured that the recommendations of the PLRC and the Ministry of Livestock Development would receive priority attention from the Tinubu administration, while calling on sub-national governments to support efforts to fully harness the vast potential of the livestock sector.

  • Govt to triple livestock sector to $94billion in 10 years

    Govt to triple livestock sector to $94billion in 10 years

    Federal Government has reiterated plans to develop the livestock industry for national food security, job creation, and rural income generation.

    This is as the government revealed that the sector’s current contribution to  the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is in the region of $32 billion.

    Director, Technical Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Mr. Peter Alike, made the disclosure at the Policy Dialogue Workshop for the Valuation of PRISMA Project Results in the Regional Agricultural Priorities of West Africa and the Sahel, in Abuja.

    He further disclosed that Nigeria’s strategic plan for the livestock sector, which runs from 2025 to 2030, aims to increase its GDP contribution from the current $32 billion to between $74 billion and $94 billion within ten years.

    Mr. Alike said the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects the government’s deliberate action towards strengthening the livestock sub-sector and driving national development.

    Mr. Alike also underscored the importance of collaboration between Nigeria, ECOWAS, and other regional actors in achieving shared agricultural and food security goals.

    He said, “I have told you already that we have a strategic plan which is going to run from 2025 to 2030. And we have a basket of livestock contribution to GDP which is currently about $32 billion.

     “And our mission is, in the next 10 years, we want to take, there is a baseline, a base anticipation of $74 billion and then of course a high expectation of about $94 billion.

     “We believe that if you actually looked at the entire valuation of livestock in Nigeria here today, we are far even in excess of that.”

     “In Nigeria, we have over 50 million cattle in the hands of rural dwellers, and these are animals that must be fed. So, for us, feed and indeed food is a national imperative that we cannot even live for tomorrow. It is indeed an emergency because the tangential effect of not being able to provide the necessary feed and food for our animals has a direct effect on our very existence, rural livelihood, and human peace. So, for us, it is a matter of survival.

     “This is the time for three things to be done. The first thing to be done is collaboration. The second thing to be done is collaboration. And the third thing to be done is collaboration. This is the time that we need each other the most,” he stressed.

    He cautioned against allowing the PRISMA policy dialogue to become just another routine event without tangible outcomes.

    In his remarks, the Acting Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), Mr. Konlani Kanfitin, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to advancing livestock development and research collaboration in the region.

    He expressed appreciation to the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) for co-financing the PRISMA Project (Research and Innovation for Productive, Resilient, and Healthy Agro-Pastoral Systems in West Africa), which promotes climate-adapted, research-based innovations in the livestock sector.

    According to him, the PRISMA Project aligns with ECOWAS’ regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP), which seeks to transform agricultural and food systems across the region.

    Mr. Kanfitin emphasised the importance of policy dialogue as a lever for coherence, strategic orientation, participatory governance, and regional integration.

    Read Also: DR Congo beat Nigeria on penalties to secure World Cup playoff victory

    He said, “The livestock sector occupies a central place in the economies of our member states. It contributes to food security, job creation, and the income of millions of rural households.

    “This policy dialogue workshop constitutes a key moment for reflection and collective action; it is intended as a space for discussions and decision-making to improve the policy environment for research and innovation to increase the productivity and resilience of agro-pastoral systems in West Africa and the Sahel,” he noted.

    In his remarks, Agricultural Engineer and PRISMA Researcher, Dr. Fernando Escribano, highlighted the project’s focus on tackling aflatoxins in livestock feed.

    He described aflatoxins as metabolic byproducts of fungi and bacteria that can grow in the field and during storage when high moisture and temperature conditions allow, stressing the need for standard methods to control their presence in livestock feed.

     “This is the scenario that we had when we started this project. We decided to focus because aflatoxins don’t have borders. Environmental impact doesn’t have borders. So, we decided to go with a harmonization exercise. We need to harmonize and define what is equality,” Dr. Escribano explained.

     “We need to avoid the presence of aflatoxins in our feeds. We need to know how to sample to detect aflatoxins. We need to know how to measure aflatoxins in a relatively simple way, but in a way that we all agree can be done,” he added.

    The PRISMA policy dialogue workshop was organized under the framework of ECOWAS’s regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP) and hosted in Abuja, Nigeria, with active participation and support from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

    The event was co-financed and technically supported by the European Union (EU), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Luxembourg Cooperation, Belgian Cooperation, and Spanish Cooperation, highlighting a strong partnership between regional bodies, national authorities, and international development partners.

  • Nigeria urges ECOWAS, Sahel states to deepen collaboration on livestock development

    Nigeria urges ECOWAS, Sahel states to deepen collaboration on livestock development

    Nigeria has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Sahel countries to take deliberate steps in advancing livestock development programmes to boost productivity across the region.

    The call came as ECOWAS opened discussions on strategies to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen the resilience of agro-pastoral systems in West Africa and the Sahel.

    The regional body held a two-day Policy Dialogue Workshop in Abuja to evaluate the results of the PRISMA Project and align them with agricultural priorities for the sub-region.

    Speaking at the opening session, Mr. Peter Alike, Director, Technical Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, said the livestock sector remains underdeveloped in West Africa and the Sahel, requiring intentional action and regional cooperation to transform it.

    He stressed that, “Deliberate action is needed because the government is aware that livestock production in this country—and indeed across West Africa and the Sahel—is still at a very rudimentary stage and far below the required level.”

    “We cannot do it alone, and you cannot do it alone. If we put our hands together, then we will be able to really bring our competitiveness out to increase productivity. 

    “But this is not the kind of thing that you want to do by yourself. The first thing to be done is collaboration. This is the time that we need each other the most.” 

    On Nigeria’s deliberate plan to improve the contribution from the sector, Alike said that the sector’s current contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is in the region of $32 billion. 

    He further disclosed that Nigeria’s strategic plan for the livestock sector, which runs from 2025 to 2030, aims to increase its GDP contribution from the current $32 billion to between $74 billion and $94 billion.

    He said, “We have a strategic plan which is going to run from 2025 to 2030. And we have a basket of livestock contribution in GDP, which is currently at about $32 billion.

    “And our mission is, in the next 10 years, we want to take, there is a baseline, a base anticipation of $4 billion, and then, of course, a high expectation of about $9-$4 billion. We believe that if you actually look at the entire value chain of livestock in Nigeria here today, we are far in excess of that. So we are even trying to recapture our actual contribution.

    “So it’s for us, about where you are and where you want to be by this time. And if we do that, then we will be able to feed ourselves well. If we can feed ourselves well, we will be able to extend into the West African region.”

    He explained that Nigeria plans to develop the livestock industry for national food security, job creation, and rural income generation.

    Mr. Alike said the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects the government’s deliberate action towards strengthening the livestock sub-sector and driving national development.

    Mr. Alike also underscored the importance of collaboration between Nigeria, ECOWAS, and other regional actors in achieving shared agricultural and food security goals.

    In his remarks, the Acting Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), Mr. Konlani Kanfitin, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to advancing livestock development and research collaboration in the region.

    He expressed appreciation to the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) for co-financing the PRISMA Project (Research and Innovation for Productive, Resilient, and Healthy Agro-Pastoral Systems in West Africa), which promotes climate-adapted, research-based innovations in the livestock sector.

    According to him, the PRISMA Project aligns with ECOWAS’ regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP), which seeks to transform agricultural and food systems across the region.

    Mr. Kanfitin emphasised the importance of policy dialogue as a lever for coherence, strategic orientation, participatory governance, and regional integration.

    He said, “The livestock sector occupies a central place in the economies of our member states. It contributes to food security, job creation, and the income of millions of rural households.

    “This policy dialogue workshop constitutes a key moment for reflection and collective action; it is intended as a space for discussions and decision-making to improve the policy environment for research and innovation to increase the productivity and resilience of agro-pastoral systems in West Africa and the Sahel,” he noted.

    In his remarks, Agricultural Engineer and PRISMA Researcher, Dr. Fernando Escribano, highlighted the project’s focus on tackling aflatoxins in livestock feed.

    He described aflatoxins as metabolic byproducts of fungi and bacteria that can grow in the field and during storage when high moisture and temperature conditions allow, stressing the need for standard methods to control their presence in livestock feed.

    “This is the scenario that we had when we started this project. We decided to focus because aflatoxins don’t have borders. Environmental impact doesn’t have borders. So, we decided to go with a harmonization exercise. We need to harmonize and define what equality is,” Dr. Escribano explained.

    “We need to avoid the presence of aflatoxins in our feeds. We need to know how to sample to detect aflatoxins. We need to know how to measure aflatoxins in a relatively simple way, but in a way that we all agree can be done,” he added.

    ECOWAS member states held a two-day Policy Dialogue Workshop for the Valuation of PRISMA Project Results in the Regional Agricultural Priorities of West Africa and the Sahel, in Abuja.

    PRISMA (West Africa)-A research and innovation project that focused on regional agricultural priorities, particularly livestock development, in the region.

    The PRISMA policy dialogue workshop was organized under the framework of ECOWAS’s regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP) 

    The event was co-financed and technically supported by the European Union (EU), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Luxembourg Cooperation, Belgian Cooperation, and Spanish Cooperation.

    The project aims to produce several results of research and innovation that take into account regional priorities in terms of productivity and competitiveness of value chains, food security, education, youth employment, climate change, and regency.

  • Nigeria, Ghana, others position for livestock exports

    Nigeria, Ghana, others position for livestock exports

    Nigeria is intensifying efforts to become a global player in livestock exports as part of its wider push to diversify the economy away from oil.

    A joint study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) projects that global per capita consumption of animal-source foods will rise by six  per cent by 2034, with lower middle-income countries expected to post a dramatic 24 per cent increase.

    Analysts said rising global demand for meat and dairy offers Nigeria a chance to unlock a multi-billion-naira export industry while strengthening food security at home.

    For the Minister , Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Nigeria, where livestock export potential is estimated at more than N150 billion annually, the opportunity is significant.

    Maiha  said  the Federal Government has introduced the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NLGAS), which focuses on feed and fodder development, genetics and breeding, disease control, and the transition of nomadic herders into modern grazing hubs.

    According to him, more than 400 reserves are scheduled for rehabilitation and will feature renewable energy, schools, clinics, and veterinary services. Grazing reserves and livestock routes nationwide are also being digitised to improve management.

    The Ministry of Livestock Development is spearheading the campaign with backing from states and international organisations. FAO has pledged technical support.

    At a recent meeting in Abuja, FAO’s representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, endorsed the government’s direction and stressed the importance of a “One Health” approach that integrates human, animal and environmental health. He also called for tighter controls on transboundary animal diseases and stronger quarantine protocols.

    Read Also: Trump’s UK state visit begins with royal pomp, protests

    Managing Director, Commodities Development Initiative (CDI), Dr. Roland Oroh, urged greater cooperation between the public and private sectors to eliminate trade barriers, align with international standards, and encourage investment in abattoirs and meat processing facilities.

    Speaking at a high-level meeting in Abuja, he highlighted the opportunities Nigeria has in expanding its livestock exports, particularly to the Middle East. Oroh emphasised that Nigeria has considerable potential in exporting key products such as red meat, live animals, fodder, and soya bean meal. He stressed that to fully capitalize on these opportunities, the country must enhance industry standards, improve infrastructure, and create an environment that supports private sector involvement.

    Nigeria’s efforts are mirrored at the regional level.

    Recently, ECOWAS launched the second phase of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Support Programme (PACBAO) in Accra, Ghana. Backed by $10 million from the Swiss Development Cooperation, the initiative aims to modernise livestock trade, strengthen value chains and increase intra-regional red meat flows by up to 30 per cent over the next three years.

    The Government of Ghana has thrown its weight behind PACBAO’s second phase. Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, announced the government’s endorsement during a knowledge-sharing workshop in Accra. He emphasised that PACBAO has already delivered remarkable results in Ghana under its first phase and promised greater commitment to ensuring the success of the second phase. Ghana currently spends around $375 million annually on importing meat to meet domestic demand. This heavy reliance on imports strains foreign exchange reserves and exposes the country to global price fluctuations. “The vision of PACBAO aligns perfectly with the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy,” Minister Opoku noted. “By building on the successes of the first phase, we are confident that Ghana can significantly reduce its import bill while creating jobs and improving food security.”

    Beyond West Africa, other countries are also stepping up. Morocco plans to spend 6.2 billion dirhams ($670 million) on a 2025–2026 programme to replenish its livestock herd, which has been reduced following years of prolonged drought. Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari said 3 billion dirhams is allocated this year and 3.2 billion next year for measures including debt relief and restructuring for livestock farmers, as well as feed subsidies. The programme,according to him, also includes aid to farmers who retain breeding female livestock, along with veterinary campaigns, genetic improvement and artificial insemination.

    Nigeria, meanwhile, has secured new international market access. At the FirstBank Agric and Export Expo 2025, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced a $100 million offtake agreement with the Saudi Export and Import Bank to supply livestock to the Middle East, starting with an initial $10 million tranche. The deal,according to him,  positions Nigeria to tap into a $2.5 billion market for meat and by-products in the Gulf. “Under the arrangement, Niger State will provide 100,000 hectares of farmland, while Lagos will handle logistics and processing. Rather than trekking animals across the country, livestock will be processed in Niger into frozen, packaged meat and transported using LNG-powered cold-chain trucks supported by Lagos. The model is designed to reduce waste, improve quality, and ensure Nigeria exports value-added products instead of live animals.

    Lagos, which consumes nearly two million cattle each year but produces less than one per cent of its needs, is investing heavily in feedlots to boost local output.

    A pilot project in Badagry, according to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, is breeding 500 cows, while 750 hectares in Epe have been earmarked for a large-scale integrated red meat value chain in partnership with Brazilian experts. Olusanya said the initiative would reduce the state’s heavy reliance on supplies from other states.

  • Government unveils 10-year livestock growth plan

    Government unveils 10-year livestock growth plan

    • Targets doubling of herd size by 2035

    The federal government has unveiled the National Livestock Growth and Advancement Strategy (NL-GAS), a two-phased 10-year plan aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector into a key driver of food security and economic growth.

    The strategy was presented by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during the Economic Management Team (EMT) meeting held in Abuja.

    According to the minister, NL-GAS sets out a roadmap to double the national herd size and expand sectoral output by at least 100 per cent by 2035, with implementation anchored on strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.

    Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said NL-GAS is consistent with the federal government’s broader economic reform programme. He explained that the livestock strategy reflects a deliberate effort to attract investment and reduce reliance on food imports.

    Read Also: How we survived herdsmen attack that claimed 200 lives in Benue community – Residents

    “Initiatives such as NL-GAS align with our reform agenda and demonstrate government’s commitment to unlocking investment and enhancing food security,” Edun said. “The objective is to lay a foundation for sustainable, private-sector-led growth that will deliver long-term benefits to Nigerians.”

    The launch coincided with a review of Nigeria’s economic performance and sectoral priorities by the EMT. Officials noted continued signs of stability, attributing the trend to a competitive exchange rate and disciplined reforms.

    According to the team, inflation has eased for the fifth consecutive month, standing at 20 per cent, while Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth remains above 3 per cent. In addition, Nigeria posted a merchandise trade surplus of ₦7.4 trillion in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting stronger export performance relative to imports.

  • ‘417 grazing reserves to become  livestock villages’

    ‘417 grazing reserves to become  livestock villages’

    The Federal Government has unveiled a plan to convert the  417 grazing reserves in the country to  “Renewed Hope Livestock Villages(RHLVs).

    The villages will have stable electricity, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, abattoirs, veterinary clinics, irrigation systems, good road networks, clean water and security infrastructure.

    Already, an agreement to have solar-powered mini-grids in the RHLVs has been entered into between the Livestock Development Ministry and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

    Wawazangi Reserve in Gombe State, Wasem,  Plateau State, Gongoshin,  Adamawa State, and Ka’u,  Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have been pencilled in as the pilot schemes.   

    Minister of Livestock Development  Idi Maiha, who made this known at the weekend, explained that the primary goal is to resettle pastoralists, boost livestock production and stem herder-farmer clashes.

    Maiha added that the initiative would lead to the modernisation of livestock production and open up new economic opportunities in rural areas.

      “Nomadic pastoralism is no longer sustainable due to climate change, increasing competition for scarce resources, and the growing size of the national herd.

    “We are rehabilitating these reserves to improve quality of life, modernise livestock farming, and incentivise pastoralists to remain in settled communities,” Maiha said.

    He stated that the livestock villages will not only benefit cattle herders but also pig, goat and sheep farmers.  

    “Millions of pastoralists and animal keepers, even outside the grazing reserves, will benefit from this MoU,” the minister  said, adding that rehabilitation which will be in phases,  is tailored to the peculiar needs of each reserve.

    Read Also: Be patient with Tinubu’s reforms, prosperity will come — Akpabio tells Nigerians

      REA’s Executive Secretary  Abba Aliyu said the partnership with the Agriculture Ministry aligns with the agency’s mandate to power rural communities and key sectors through renewable energy.

    He said: “If you have a grazing reserve with schools, health centres, markets, and abattoirs, that is a perfect cluster for electrification.

    “This partnership is a marriage of convenience to energise communities and boost productivity in the livestock sector.”

    The announcement of the RHLVs comes against the backdrop of longstanding controversies over grazing reserves and the government’s handling of pastoralism.

     Over the years, proposals such as cattle colonies, Rural Grazing Area(RUGA), and the National Livestock Transformation plan have been met with resistance by some states and communities who viewed them as attempts to appropriate their lands or favour a particular group. 

    Critics often argued that the schemes failed to address deeper issues of land ownership, farmer-herder tensions, and insecurity.

    Also, security reports stated that farmer-herder violence has claimed thousands of lives in recent years, raising concerns that reserves might worsen, rather than ease, insecurity.

    In Rome, Italy, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari said the Federal Government was determined to safeguard the climate, restore soil health, enhance food production and guarantee dignified livelihoods for farmers through proactive policies. 

    Kyari recalled that in 2022, the ministry, then known as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, entered into a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) under the Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) Programme.

    He spoke during the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Forum of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    The event had “Unlocking Sustainable Agrifood Systems for Climate, Nature, and Livelihoods” as its theme.

    According to the minister, Nigeria is spearheading a national initiative to build a climate-resilient and nature-positive food system in line with national policies.

     Ongoing strategies, he said,  include distribution of improved seeds, sustainable soil management, boosting food production, and expanding agroforestry.

    Kyari highlighted the National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) as a major driver of agricultural transformation, aimed at enhancing investments, boosting production, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and making nutritious diets more affordable, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promoting reforestation.

    Kyari also revealed that Nigeria’s forthcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) will align climate commitments with agricultural transformation priorities.

    These include scaling up climate-smart agriculture, restoring degraded lands, promoting regenerative practices and empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths.

    He added that  Nigeria has advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which integrates climate priorities across agriculture, water, health, and infrastructure, with emphasis on community-led and ecosystem-based solutions.

  • How to tackle Nigeria’s protein deficit, by expert

    How to tackle Nigeria’s protein deficit, by expert

    An expert in ruminant nutrition and sustainable livestock production, Dr. Olayinka Tawose, has called for action to mitigate protein intake deficit and unlock Nigeria’s livestock possibilities.

    According to her, the structural and functional significance of proteins in the human body cannot be overemphasised.

    Dr. Tawose, who has over 16 years of experience in the field, said animal proteins such as meat, eggs and milk are major sources of important macronutrients and are necessary for growth, repair and development of the human body.

    She said: “Presently, Nigeria faces a significant protein deficit, despite its potentially rich possibilities. Studies revealed that Nigeria’s average animal protein consumption is about 6-8.44 grams/capita, which is far below the recommended daily minimum levels of 35g and 0.8g of protein per kg body weight.”

    Read Also: Experts mull consumption of right protein among Nigerians

    The academician stated that the protein sufficiency paradox may have been caused by a decline in citizens’ purchasing power, which makes many consider animal protein a luxury and inaccessible.

    “Additionally, other factors bedevilling our livestock sector includes lack of industrialisation, high production cost, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, climate change, limited access to finance, farmer-herders conflict, low productivity, poor farm management, which hinder production, leading to scarcity and high prices of the protein sources.”

    She added that this deficiency has severe consequences for the nation’s health, particularly for children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, leading to malnutrition, reduced cognitive abilities, weakened immune system, stunted growth, and poor health, which run contrary to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 of optimum health and food security.

    Dr. Tawose, whose impressive publication record in top-tier journals, leadership roles, and awards demonstrates her exceptional expertise and international impact, lauded the Federal Government’s recent initiatives to revamp the livestock sector, which marks a significant step towards transforming the industry.

    She said a lot still has to be done and urged the government to further prioritise industrialisation of the sector, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as precision animal production, genetic improvement of existing animal breeds, innovative feed sourcing, research funding and employing research outcomes.

    She also advocated better infrastructures, monitored loans and subsidies for farmers to adopt modern practices, making livestock production attractive and rewarding to encourage more youth involvement, coupled with an enabling environment for farmers to achieve economies of scale and meet the demands of our growing population.

    She stated that her research on alternative feed sources for ruminant animals has shown promising results.

    “By leveraging such innovative approaches, we can increase production, reduce costs, and make animal protein more accessible to Nigerians,” she said.

    Dr. Tawose, who has made significant contributions to advancing ruminant production and feed resource innovations through research and teaching, said the protein deficit could be avoided since we are blessed with enormous natural resources.

    She believes an industrialised livestock sector ensures scaled-up production, exportation, job creation, revenue generation and a boosted economy.

    She further stated that collective action is needed to drive meaningful change and alter the narratives; to ensure protein accessibility and affordability, improve food security, and enhance the health and well-being of Nigerians through sustainable livestock production in the country.