Livestock boost as FG launches artificial insemination and care centres in Sokoto

Federal efforts to revive Nigeria’s livestock sector gathered momentum in Sokoto on Thursday as the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, inaugurated artificial insemination and livestock care centres aimed at raising animal productivity and improving veterinary services across the region. The initiative marks a significant step toward modernising animal husbandry and supporting farmers with better access to quality breeding and healthcare.

Source: gazettengr

Speaking at the event, Maiha described the new centres as critical interventions designed to strengthen veterinary delivery and reposition livestock production as a viable driver of economic growth. He explained that the upgraded veterinary hospital and newly established facilities would provide improved diagnostics, treatment and breeding services, helping farmers achieve healthier herds and better yields. The minister noted that reliable animal health infrastructure remains central to building a sustainable and competitive livestock industry.

Beyond infrastructure, attention also turned to disease prevention as the minister unveiled the national mass livestock vaccination programme. The campaign, he said, is intended to curb the spread of animal diseases, protect farmers’ investments and enhance the overall economic value of the livestock value chain. According to Maiha, healthier animals translate directly into higher incomes for rural households and stronger food security for the country.

Broader reforms underway at the federal level were also highlighted, with Maiha stressing that the new centres align with national development plans to transform the livestock subsector. He said the government plans to link similar facilities into a nationwide network that will support commercial livestock systems, improve surveillance against animal diseases and promote sustainable agricultural growth across multiple regions.

Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu welcomed the intervention, describing it as timely support that complements ongoing state-led agricultural reforms. He expressed confidence that improved livestock services would help boost food production, create jobs and attract more young people into agribusiness, particularly in rural communities where opportunities are often limited.

Security challenges affecting livestock production were not ignored. Governor Aliyu acknowledged that banditry has disrupted farming activities in parts of the state, assuring residents that sustained efforts are underway to restore safety and enable farmers to fully benefit from agricultural investments. With improved security and renewed federal backing, expectations are rising that Sokoto’s livestock sector could enter a new phase of growth and resilience.