ASAN-NIAS 2023: Ganduje Envisions N50trn Nigeria's Livestock Industry In 10 Years

Former governor of Kano State, Dr. Ganduje, has envisioned a robust future for Nigeria's livestock industry, estimating a value of around N50 trillion in the coming decade. This optimistic outlook was shared during the inauguration of the 12th Joint Annual Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) in Abuja. The event's theme centered on "Pathways to Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change in Animal Agriculture."

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressed the importance of essential factors such as infrastructure, support for value chain development, and financial backing in realizing this ambitious goal. He emphasized that with the right framework in place, including infrastructure, value chain development, financing, research and development, and capacity building, the Nigerian livestock industry could potentially reach a valuation of N50 trillion over the next decade.

Highlighting the significance of this projection, Dr. Ganduje pointed out that the industry's value would constitute approximately 20 percent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at present, and it could surpass 30 percent according to the projected figure over the next ten years. The address targeted a diverse audience, including animal scientists, academia, policymakers, veterinarians, and livestock commodity associations.

Encouraging a forward-thinking approach, Dr. Ganduje urged participants to explore creative solutions to enhance productivity and facilitate market accessibility within the livestock sector. His keynote address, titled "Towards a Sustainable Livestock Production System for National Economic Development," called on stakeholders to collaborate in finding innovative solutions to tackle challenges related to climate change in animal agriculture.