Federal Reforms Set to Transform Nigeria’s Livestock Sector, Boost GDP by 5% by 2030

Nigeria’s livestock industry is on the brink of a transformation that could reshape its role in the national economy, with fresh federal reforms expected to raise the sector’s GDP contribution by 5 per cent by 2030. According to Agabaidu Jideani, Director General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), these reforms are positioned to boost farmer incomes by up to 40 per cent, create tens of thousands of jobs, and open lucrative export channels to high-demand halal markets across the Middle East and Europe.

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Speaking ahead of the Annual National Livestock Development Summit, Trade Fair, and Exhibition set for December 1–6, 2025, Jideani described the event as a turning point for the sector—a platform where policy, innovation, and investment will converge to drive growth. Organised in partnership with the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, the Delivery Unit of the Office of the Vice President, and First Lady Concepts Consulting, the summit will serve as a permanent dialogue mechanism to keep the momentum alive.

Jideani emphasised that the reforms are not only about economic growth but also about social stability and environmental sustainability. By introducing alternative dispute resolution frameworks, the government aims to significantly reduce herder-farmer conflicts, while regenerative grazing and water conservation measures will help combat climate change threats. Women and youths—who make up 70 per cent of the agricultural workforce—stand to benefit through greater access to markets, digital trading platforms, and targeted capacity-building initiatives.

On the technical side, the reforms will focus on vaccine development to slash disease-related livestock losses, precision farming to increase yields, and modern cold-chain logistics to reduce post-harvest losses from 40 per cent to under 10 per cent. The December summit will bring together over 200 exhibitors, showcase cutting-edge technologies, and feature an innovation challenge with grants of up to N50 million—creating opportunities that could unlock as much as N8 billion in investments during its first edition.