FG moves to double livestock sector’s $32bn economic contribution—Tinubu

Federal Government of Nigeria has said that it is making efforts to double livestock sector’s $32 billion economic contribution with mechanisms put in place.

President Tinubu said this at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture holding in Abuja, which he said the target is basically as part of efforts by his administration to boost food security, create jobs and diversify the economy.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume (CON), he said Nigeria’s livestock sector currently contributes more than $32bn annually to the national economy, stressing that the industry remained a major source of food, employment and economic opportunities.

He formally declared the conference open and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing leadership in Africa’s livestock transformation.

He said: “Our national strategy aims to more than double the sector’s economic contributions to position Nigeria as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa.”

According to him, Nigeria had over 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry species supporting livelihoods across the country, and his administration had placed agriculture and food security at the centre of its Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also maintained that his establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 is a sheer demonstration of his government’s commitment to transforming the agriculture in Nigeria.

“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development marked the beginning of a comprehensive national livestock transformation programme”, he said.

Meanwhile, according to him, the Ministry was created to transform livestock production from largely subsistence and traditional practices into a modern, technology-driven, commercially competitive and globally integrated industry, whereby, his administration had also approved institutional reforms based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms to strengthen governance, improve productivity, promote peaceful livestock production systems and attract private sector investment.

The President also explained that the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy was among the initiatives being implemented to unlock opportunities in the sector, which the strategy was designed to increase livestock productivity, strengthen value chains, improve animal health services, expand commercial feed production, enhance livestock genetics and promote climate-smart production systems.

He said, “The strategy focuses on increasing livestock productivity, strengthening value chains, improving animal health services, expanding commercial feed production, enhancing livestock genetics, promoting climate-smart production systems, improving peacebuilding, and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for livestock investment and exports.”

He also added that promotion of ranching and modern livestock production systems is what his administration is doing to improve productivity and reduce conflicts associated with traditional livestock production.

Meanwhile, he said his administration has been making efforts to attract investors into various value chains of the sector including dairy, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure, and all in a bid to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products, noting that the country currently spends significant foreign exchange on milk imports.

“Our ongoing dairy transformation programme seeks to double local milk production through improved genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems, and stronger private sector participation”, he said.

He further stated that his administration had initiated programmes to promote improved breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure, private dairy investments and modern processing facilities.

He also stressed that the livestock value chain offered opportunities to create millions of jobs for Nigeria’s growing youth population, as “Millions of jobs can be created for our growing youth population in Africa. The Nigerian government is committed to fully optimising the value chain.”

According to him, his administration is working hard to ensure there is significant participation of youth and women in livestock value chains through improved access to finance, innovation, digital technology, value-chain development and private-sector partnerships.

He stressed the need for stronger continental cooperation, saying animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and transboundary livestock movements required coordinated solutions.

“The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation”, he said.

Meanwhile, the President assured of Nigeria’s support for stronger regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade, which he urged delegates at the conference to develop practical recommendations on animal health, disease control, climate-smart production, livestock genetics, regional trade, youth and women empowerment, research, innovation and investment.

He assured participants that Nigeria was ready to work with African countries, development partners, research institutions and the private sector to build a productive, sustainable and globally competitive livestock industry.

“Together, we can transform Africa from a continent with enormous livestock potential into a global leader in livestock production”, he said.