President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says his administration is targeting more than doubling the Nigerian livestock sector’s current annual contribution of over $32 billion to the national economy.
Tinubu stated this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The president said the expansion of the livestock sector is part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen food security, create jobs and diversify the Nigerian economy.
He said Nigeria currently has more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry, describing the sector as a major source of food, employment and economic opportunities.
According to Tinubu, the government’s strategy is aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major livestock production and processing hub in Africa.
He said the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 marked the beginning of a national programme to move livestock production from largely subsistence practices towards a modern, technology-driven and commercially competitive industry.
The president also highlighted the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy as one of the initiatives being implemented to increase productivity and strengthen the sector’s value chains.
The strategy, he said, covers animal health services, commercial feed production, livestock genetics, climate-smart production systems, peacebuilding and the development of Nigeria’s livestock investment and export potential.
Tinubu said the government is also promoting ranching and modern livestock production systems to improve productivity and reduce conflicts associated with traditional livestock production.
He added that investment opportunities were being developed across dairy production, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure.
On dairy production, the president said the government was working to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported dairy products and increase domestic milk production.
He said the ongoing dairy transformation programme aims to double local milk production through improved animal genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems and greater private-sector participation.
The programme will also support improved breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure, private dairy investments and modern processing facilities, he said.
Tinubu further said the livestock value chain could generate millions of jobs for Nigeria’s growing youth population, while the government was seeking to increase the participation of young people and women through improved access to finance, technology, innovation and private-sector partnerships.
He called for greater cooperation among African countries, noting that challenges including animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and cross-border livestock movements require regional solutions.
The president said Nigeria would continue to support collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade.
He urged participants at the conference to develop practical recommendations covering animal health, disease control, climate-smart production, livestock genetics, regional trade, youth and women empowerment, research, innovation and investment.
Tinubu said Nigeria was prepared to work with other African countries, development partners, research institutions and private-sector actors to develop a more productive and sustainable livestock industry across the continent.
