Nigeria Rolls Out Livestock Master Plan to Revamp Sector and Attract Investments

Nigeria has taken a major step toward revitalizing its livestock industry with the unveiling of the National Livestock Master Plan (N-LMP), a five-year roadmap designed to overcome long-standing challenges and unlock new investment opportunities.

Source:ilri

The blueprint was developed through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was formally presented in Abuja, where L-PRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, handed it over to the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha.

Minister Maiha described the master plan as a bold framework to reposition the industry, which contributes about 17 percent to agricultural GDP and around five percent to Nigeria’s overall GDP. He emphasized that livestock is not only central to the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians but also crucial for meeting the country’s growing demand for animal protein.

For years, the sector has grappled with recurring hurdles such as low productivity, poor infrastructure, limited access to markets, and persistent outbreaks of animal diseases. The minister noted that the N-LMP is designed to address these issues head-on by focusing on priority commodities, policy reforms, modern technologies, and targeted investments to drive sustainable growth.

The plan also highlights poverty reduction, job creation, food and nutrition security, and inclusivity for women and youth as key outcomes, while promoting environmentally sustainable practices. Drawing parallels with Tanzania, which adopted a similar strategy in 2018 and recorded over $600 million in research-driven investments, Maiha expressed optimism that Nigeria could achieve even greater results.

He further explained that the initiative aligns with regional and global commitments such as the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa, the Malabo Declaration, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. For its success, he urged strong collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, and development partners.

Abubakar stressed that the N-LMP covers the entire livestock value chain—from feed production to breeding—while clearly defining the roles of federal and state governments as well as private investors. ILRI’s Senior Agricultural Economist, Sirak Batha, added that the plan rests on four pillars: an assessment of current sector conditions, a forward-looking growth strategy, short-term investments in priority value chains, and a coalition of stakeholders working together to deliver reforms.