Nigeria’s livestock sector presents a unique opportunity for transformative growth, with the potential to drive economic development, enhance food security and create significant employment. By embracing innovative strategies, private sector investments and robust regulatory frameworks, the industry can overcome current challenges and emerge as a leading player in both local and global markets. In this special report, DANIEL ESSIET delves into the key opportunities, challenges and initiatives that could unlock the sector’s full potential for sustainable growth.
The livestock industry on a global scale presents significant opportunities for foreign investment and business ventures. According to Statista, a prominent business intelligence organisation, the value of the global meat industry, estimated at $897 billion in 2021, is forecasted to grow to $1,354 billion by 2027. Indeed, the industry plays a crucial role in the agricultural landscape of nations, significantly contributing to economic growth and employment generation.
In Nigeria, the livestock sector currently contributes 17 per cent to the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), 5 percent to the national GDP, and accounts for 36.5 percent of protein consumption. The industry offers a diverse array of products, including pork, poultry, eggs, beef, and milk, and provides substantial income-generating opportunities across the value chain, employing 33 percent of the population, which translates to approximately 4.6 million households. Nigeria is home to a wide variety of livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and pigs. There is considerable potential to access international markets by meeting global standards for meat and dairy production.
With a population of over 200 million people, demand for animal protein is on the rise. As urbanisation increases and the middle class expands, the demand for meat and dairy products is expected to continue growing. The Nigerian livestock industry is valued as a N30 trillion national asset, with a projected growth rate of 1.2% year-on-year through to 2026. However, the sector currently faces significant challenges that hinder its growth and stability. Climate change is a major obstacle, altering environmental conditions and affecting livestock productivity. Additionally, navigating various regulations related to origin traceability and food safety remains complex and burdensome for producers.
Rising costs of domestic animal feed are a critical concern, driving up production expenses and reducing profitability for farmers. Livestock diseases exacerbate the situation further, negatively impacting animal health, productivity, and access to markets. The spread of disease, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and limited technical knowledge—particularly in areas such as water supply services, veterinary care, and market integration—makes it increasingly difficult to manage these health risks effectively.
These combined challenges expose livestock producers and traders to heightened risks, threatening the sustainability of the industry and its ability to meet demand for food and other products. Moreover, the reliance on imported raw materials for animal feed, including maize, wheat, and cereals, has contributed to escalating production costs due to rising prices. This surge in costs has significantly eroded the earnings of businesses and cooperatives, causing many prominent local companies to fall behind their international counterparts. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive solutions that enhance resilience to climate change, streamline regulatory compliance, reduce feed costs, and improve infrastructure and expertise in disease management.
According to projections from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nigeria’s population is expected to grow rapidly and undergo substantial demographic changes, with estimates suggesting it could reach nearly 400 million by 2050. Nevertheless, Nigeria’s strategic location offers significant advantages, positioning it effectively to meet both regional and global demands for livestock products.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasised the importance of the livestock sector in Nigeria, recognising it as a key driver of income and economic development. With a diverse range of indigenous livestock breeds catering to a variety of consumer preferences, both domestically and internationally, he highlighted that the sector holds considerable potential to boost the nation’s economy. At the recent two-day Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, the President assured Nigerians that his administration would not repeat the mistakes of previous governments, which overlooked the livestock value chain. He stressed that the sector offers numerous opportunities for generating income and enhancing national prosperity.
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Mr President has underscored the need to reposition the sector strategically to ensure it plays a central role in achieving national goals such as food and nutrition security. He also stated that his government will avoid dependence on dairy imports. He pledged a robust framework to stimulate prosp The livestock sector is critical, and we will give it all it needs to bring value to our country. Stakeholders, I assure you that you will not regret the collaboration and investment in this sector. It is about time that we do it right,” he said.
He stated that Nigeria’s collective mission is to transform the livestock sector from its current subsistence model into a thriving, commercialised industry erity in the sector, saying his government will revamp and reposition the industry to create employment and attract foreign direct investment. “The livestock sector is critical, and we will give it all it needs to bring value to our country. Stakeholders, I assure you that you will not regret the collaboration and investment in this sector. It is about time that we do it right,” he said.
He stated that Nigeria’s collective mission is to transform the livestock sector from its current subsistence model into a thriving, commercialised industry. The sector, he added, must make a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while providing decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods for the country’s growing population. He further highlighted that with 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 60 million sheep, and 16 million pigs, Nigeria is the leading livestock producer in West Africa. “Yet, despite this vast resource, we face stark realities,” he lamented. “Our annual production of animal-source foods, like milk at 0.7 billion litres, meat at 1.48 million tonnes, and eggs at 0.69 million metric tonnes, falls far short of our needs. Our per capita consumption levels—8.7 litres of milk, 9 kg of meat, and 3.5 kg or 45 eggs per year—are troublingly low compared to global averages. These are 44 litres of milk, 19 kg of meat, and between 160 and 180 eggs per year. “What is more worrisome to me is the average milk yield by cow breeds managed by our pastoralists: it is a mere 0.5 to 1.5 litres per day, compared to a global average of 6.6 litres per day. We can do much better!” Tinubu lamented further.
He noted that the long-term neglect of the livestock sector has placed a heavy burden on the country’s import bills, with milk and dairy products alone accounting for $1.2 to $1.5 billion annually. To place Nigeria’s livestock sector on a path towards sustainable development and greater economic contribution, the President has established a special Ministry of Livestock Development. The creation of this dedicated ministry is seen as a pivotal step toward addressing the challenges confronting the country’s livestock sector. Its primary role will be to oversee and facilitate the sustainable growth of the industry, ensuring that it contributes significantly to the nation’s economy. With the resources that will be allocated to it, stakeholders believe the newly established ministry will be able to implement a range of focused policies and investments. These will target key areas such as productivity, trade and value addition, climate adaptation and mitigation, as well as improving governance within the sector.
One of the key figures is the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. Dogara emphasised the importance of focusing on increasing the self-sufficiency of beef production within the livestock sector. He believes that by doing so, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on beef imports and better meet the growing domestic demand for beef. Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Tax Reform Bills: Charting the Way Forward,” hosted by a national television station, Dogara acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu has taken a significant step in addressing the challenges facing the livestock sector.
His words: “There is no northern leader of my lifetime that has done what the President has done for the North with the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development. This is a sector with a global market size with potential for diary, beef. In the next three years, the value of the industry will rise to $2.5 trillion. If in the North we are able to organise ourselves, in such a way they we can capture just 5 per cent of the global market size in terms of dairy and beef production, that gives us $250 billion; we don’t need VAT from any state in Nigeria to survive. The North can survive on its own. We are the most endowed part of Nigeria.”
He stated that the livestock sector holds vast potential, emphasising that its growth would play a crucial role in strengthening the national economy. Dogara’s vision for creating a robust livestock sector, one capable of driving economic growth, providing more jobs, and improving food security, aligns with the goals set by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, as outlined in his remarks upon assuming office on November 4.
The Minister reiterated his determination to chart a new path for the sustainable development of the livestock sector, focusing on policies and initiatives that will foster growth and address existing challenges. He posited: “As you are aware, livestock is not just a sector; it is a way of life for millions of Nigerians and a vital component of our food security, rural development, and cultural heritage. Our mission, therefore, is not just to grow this sector but to transform it into a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive ecosystem for the private sector actors to thrive. As a practicing livestock farmer, I am not oblivious of the challenges facing this sector. From limited and high cost of quality feed to disease outbreaks, farmer-herder’s conflicts, over grazing, ageing stocks, climate change, limited access to credit facilities and modern technologies and inadequate infrastructure just to mention but a few.
“These are significant hurdles, yet I believe they are not insurmountable. This journey will require smart work, collaboration, and innovative thinking. I am confident that with the experience and expertise within this Ministry, we can make significant strides towards unlocking the true potential in the livestock sector in no distant time. One of my top priorities is to ensure that our policies and programmes empower stakeholders within the sector, from smallholder farmers to large-scale producers. We shall work to create an enabling environment that allows for investment, climate smart livestock farming, modernization and commercialisation.”
The Ministry aims to attract private sector investment to establish commercial farms, tanneries for the export of processed hides and skins, breeder stock, poultry abattoirs, and other related enterprises. The minister reiterated that the goal is to create a solid foundation that will prepare the country to become a global leader in the livestock sector through private sector-led growth. Nigeria boasts approximately 415 identified grazing reserves, covering a total of 4.3 million hectares, all located in the northern states. However, only about 141 of these reserves are officially gazetted and legally secured. This presents both opportunities and challenges in terms of securing grazing areas for pastoralists. In addition, there are emerging clusters of agro-pastoralists in southern states, including the Iseyin-Igangan axis in Oyo State, the Adada-Nkpologu-Adani-Iggah axis in Enugu State, and the Awgu-Nkanu-Abakaliki axis in Ebonyi State. Analysts believe the existence of these clusters reflects the growing presence of livestock farming beyond the traditional northern regions, highlighting the expansion of agro-pastoralism in southern Nigeria. This shift represents an opportunity to diversify and expand the scope of livestock production across the country, although it also presents challenges in terms of infrastructure and resource management.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, emphasised that revitalising Nigeria’s livestock industry requires a systems approach. He noted that engaging small-scale livestock producers from all parts of the country is essential for ensuring the industry’s sustainable growth. Key components of this revitalisation, according to Dr. Iyama, include improving animal breeding, enhancing production systems, and addressing challenges related to land, water, and grazing management across the major regions of the country. Drawing on the success of Australia, he suggested that the establishment of large and medium-sized ranches and dairy farms across Nigeria could be pivotal in transforming the country’s livestock industry into a more sustainable and profitable sector. He reiterated that the involvement of small-scale livestock producers is crucial to creating a critical mass that will drive the industry’s long-term success.
The immediate past Director of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Dr. Nick Nwankpa, emphasised the significant role that extensive livestock production industries play in Nigeria’s economy. He believes that continuous improvements in animal husbandry and production efficiencies could greatly benefit the livestock sector. A key approach to achieving this growth, according to Dr. Nwankpa, is the establishment of large and medium-sized ranches and dairy farms focused on producing weaners, in-calf heifers, and young breeding bulls. These initiatives, he and other stakeholders assert, would not only provide stock for new start-up farms but also promote the genetic upgrading of indigenous animals.
Udeme Utuk, a prominent livestock expert, is at the forefront of advocating for the sector’s potential. Sharing Dr. Nwankpa’s optimism, Utuk believes that the livestock industry—particularly dairy farming—has the capacity to significantly increase Nigeria’s annual milk production. This, in turn, could play a key role in strengthening the nation’s economy, particularly through improved production efficiency and greater market competitiveness.
At its optimal levels, Dr. Nwankpa pointed out, the livestock sector could support greater employment, foster entrepreneurship, provide high-quality food, and generate income—provided operators have access to adequate information on markets, technology, research, support services (including livestock-related technical skills), and finance for the production of animals and plants for human use. Among the key recommendations for developing Nigeria’s livestock sector is the establishment of regional dairy development centres, which would greatly benefit milk production and value addition in the country. AU-IBAR has maintained a valuable partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to explore avenues for better collaboration and coordination with the Ministry of Livestock Development on critical issues related to the livestock sector, animal health, agriculture, and sustainable development. The key priority areas and strategies include enhancing animal health, promoting sustainable livestock production, and improving disease control. In collaboration with AU-IBAR’s Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) and the Africa Pastoral Market Development Platform (APMD) projects, the FAO is working closely with the Federal Government to enhance livestock productivity, boost trade, and improve the livelihoods and resilience of pastoralists across the country.
At the First APMD Analytics and Implementers Engagement Workshop in Abuja, the Director of AU-IBAR, Huyam Salih, emphasised the importance of implementing the Africa Pastoralist Market Development (APMD) initiative. She stated that the initiative represents a collective commitment to transforming Africa’s pastoral sector. Salih highlighted that the primary goals of APMD include boosting livestock productivity, improving the livelihoods of pastoralists, and promoting regional cooperation across the continent. Represented by the Project Coordinator of APMD, Prof. Ahmed Elbeltagy, the Director explained that the platform embodies “our aspiration to elevate the role of pastoralism in inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, and enhanced livelihoods.”
She added, “Pastoral livestock plays a pivotal role in Africa’s social and economic fabric, providing food, income, and security for millions of people. However, the sector continues to face challenges, including climate change, limited market access, and policy gaps. The implementation of the APMD Platform will allow us to overcome these barriers. By fostering collaboration and embracing innovation, we can unlock new pathways for sustainable growth. This analytics and iimplementers’ workshop marks an essential step in developing the detailed implementation plan and strengthening pastoral communities and stakeholder’s contribution to the process of sector transformation.” Stakeholders have called for the establishment of dedicated zones to enhance livestock breeding, within a comprehensive development plan aimed at transforming the sector. This plan, driven by private sector-led growth, seeks to cultivate a vibrant industry capable of meeting local demand, securing a larger share of livestock exports, meeting international quality standards, and achieving double-digit growth by 2025. There is an increasing demand for effective regulatory frameworks that ensure transparency and accountability in livestock production practices.
One such advocate for change is the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya. She has been at the forefront of efforts to implement innovative strategies that tackle the challenges facing livestock production in the state. In Lagos, she has worked closely with various stakeholders to promote accountability in the transportation of livestock, both within the state and to other regions. This collaborative initiative has led to the development of detailed guidelines for the safe handling of animals during transportation, ensuring their well-being throughout the process.
Overall, the livestock industry faces a variety of challenges, but also significant opportunities for expansion, particularly in areas such as cattle breeding and beef production. A key focus is the establishment of nursery stables for distributing high-grade cows to farmers, alongside breeding centres equipped with top-quality bulls to improve the genetic stock. These centres would offer artificial insemination services, enabling farmers to enhance their herds and boost productivity.
The private sector, especially large and medium-sized farms, has substantial potential to increase beef production. However, farmers require targeted support to realise this potential fully. This includes technical advice to guide best practices, alongside financial assistance to purchase essential resources. Access to credit for buying seeds, fertilisers, livestock buildings, and cattle is crucial to enabling farmers to improve their productivity and efficiency. With these measures in place, Nigeria’s livestock industry could make significant strides towards becoming a key player in both local and international markets.
In conclusion, the livestock sector in Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroads, with immense potential for growth and transformation. By harnessing the collective efforts of stakeholders, including government bodies, the private sector, and local farmers, the industry can overcome its current challenges and realise its full potential. Strategic initiatives, such as the establishment of breeding zones, the creation of breeding centres, and the promotion of transparency in production practices, are crucial to positioning Nigeria as a global leader in livestock production. With targeted support in areas like infrastructure, technical expertise, and financial resources, the sector can not only meet domestic demands but also expand its footprint in international markets. If the right measures are taken, Nigeria’s livestock industry has the capacity to become a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security, paving the way for a prosperous and sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.
