Nigeria Pushes for Regional Livestock Growth Strategy Under ECOWAS

Nigeria is calling for a unified West African strategy to drive livestock growth across the region, urging ECOWAS member states to work together in developing a sustainable animal feed industry that can power the sector’s transformation.

Source: thenationonlineng

Speaking at the opening of a high-level regional workshop on animal feed development in West Africa and the Sahel, Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Edi Muktambe, said the time has come for the region to align its livestock policies and build stronger frameworks for innovation, financing, and regional trade. Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Akujobimade, he explained that Nigeria’s own policy direction is guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NLGAS) — a 10-year plan designed to strengthen feed production, improve productivity, and expand local value chains.

Muktambe expressed hope that the workshop would produce a roadmap for a regional livestock strategy that leverages local resources, agricultural by-products, and private-sector partnerships. He emphasised that the livestock sector remains a vital pillar of economic growth but continues to face hurdles such as poor feed quality, limited infrastructure, and dependence on imported inputs.

“The animal feed challenge affects every aspect of livestock production — from costs to competitiveness,” he said. “Building a strong local and regional feed industry will not only create jobs but also reduce import dependence and strengthen food sovereignty across West Africa.”

ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, represented by the Acting Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food, Mr. Konlani Kanfitin, described the workshop as a turning point for regional cooperation. He noted that livestock remains central to food security, job creation, and rural livelihoods in West Africa but stressed that the sector’s potential is undermined by the persistent shortage of affordable, high-quality feed.

He expressed optimism that the discussions would yield practical solutions to make ECOWAS’s Regional Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) more effective. “A resilient animal feed industry will enhance regional food security and strengthen our capacity to respond to crises,” he said, calling on participants to turn their shared vision into lasting, tangible results for the region’s farmers.