Developing Nigeria’s livestock industry, our priority – Minister

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry to enhance food security, economic resilience, and global competitiveness.

Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, stated this at the 2025 Animal Science Meeting and Industry Exposition held in Abuja. He noted that Nigeria’s livestock sector, valued at over ₦30 trillion, contributes less than 3% to the national GDP, stressing the need for transformation across breeds, genetics, and production systems.

Maiha emphasised that achieving global competitiveness would require collaboration, partnerships, and innovation within the sector. He challenged animal scientists and other stakeholders to “ask the tough questions and come up with the right answers” needed to move the industry forward.

In his address, Chief Simeon Ohwofa, President of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), said the institute had produced more than 2,900 registered animal scientists since inception, positioning Nigeria for a more structured livestock ecosystem.

Keynote speaker Dr. Tunde Amole presented a framework titled “The Six Strategic Pillars for Transformation”, identifying productivity improvement, feed and fodder security, value-chain infrastructure, financing and inclusion, governance and data systems, and climate resilience as the anchors for reform.

Amole urged stakeholders to move from “plans to implementation, and policies to accountability”, stressing that solutions—not challenges—must drive the next phase of livestock development.
Source: Vanguard

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The livestock conversation in Nigeria is shifting from policy rhetoric to measurable transformation. The Abuja exposition has revealed both the urgency and opportunity within the sector. Beyond the speeches and institutional milestones lies a strategic question — how can Nigeria convert its livestock wealth into a globally competitive industry? The following expert insights draw from systemic realities and offer direction for agribusiness leaders, policymakers, and investors seeking to position within the new livestock economy.

1. From Asset to Productivity – While Nigeria’s livestock is valued at over ₦30 trillion, its productivity remains disproportionately low. The focus must shift from herd size to breed quality, data-driven genetics, and commercial viability. National livestock transformation will only be real when measurable output and traceable systems replace estimations and informal practices.
2. Institutional Clarity & Governance – The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development marks a structural evolution. Yet, clarity of function and enforcement capacity will determine its impact. NIAS’s growing professional base should serve as the engine for standards, traceability, and professional accountability in animal production.
3. Private Sector Inclusion – The future of livestock development rests not solely in government reforms but in private-sector participation. Encouraging feed mill enterprises, veterinary startups, and farmer-led cooperatives will unlock the missing infrastructure and investment gaps that have kept productivity stagnant.
4. Value Chain Modernisation – Strengthening the entire chain from breeding and feeding to processing and market logistics will define the sector’s economic footprint. Cold-chain systems, abattoir upgrades, and structured market hubs are critical levers for inclusive and export-oriented livestock trade.
5. Climate Adaptation & Data Systems – A resilient livestock economy must be built on climate-smart practices and credible data systems. Without these, national breeding programmes and disease surveillance will remain reactive. Data-backed governance will enable precision livestock management, aligning productivity with sustainability.

Conclusion:
Nigeria’s livestock sector sits on the threshold of a transformative era. The minister’s call for tough questions must now translate into evidence-based solutions and collaborative accountability. If policymakers, scientists, and agripreneurs align around innovation, governance, and market structure, the nation can finally shift livestock production from subsistence to sustainable commercial enterprise—anchored on structure, science, and scale.