Livestock Minister Calls for Greater Investment to Transform Sector

The Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, has called for stronger support and investment to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector. He spoke on Tuesday at the National Stakeholders Roundtable on Transforming the Livestock Sector in Abuja.

The event focused on improving production, strengthening collaboration and mobilising investment to support growth in the sector nationwide. Maiha said careful decisions and collective commitment were needed to transform the livestock industry.

He said the sector supports millions of livelihoods, employs about 30 percent of the rural population and contributes roughly 17 percent to Nigeria’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product. The minister also welcomed representatives of the international community, development partners, investors, ranchers and the media for their continued support for livestock development initiatives.

The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said stronger government support, increased private sector participation and improved infrastructure were necessary to modernise livestock production. He said the sector plays an important role in food security, employment and rural development but still faces challenges such as low productivity, weak veterinary services and poor feed systems.

Obegolu urged collaboration among federal and state governments, development partners and the private sector to improve animal health systems, expand livestock value chains and promote sustainable management. He said the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development was part of efforts by the Federal Government to reposition the industry and strengthen productivity across livestock value chains.

He said transforming the sector would help reduce food imports, increase exports of products such as red meat and dairy, and create jobs in farming, processing, logistics and marketing. Obegolu also called for policies that support ranching, improved breeds, modern feed systems and access to financing for livestock farmers.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the livestock sector requires expansion and strategic investment to improve productivity, stimulate economic growth and strengthen food security. The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Jani Ibrahim, described the meeting as timely and urged investors and policymakers to support reforms that will reposition the livestock sector as a modern high-value industry.

The Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, said stronger private sector participation and effective public-private collaboration were needed to unlock investment opportunities and strengthen livestock value chains. He added that stakeholders at the roundtable would identify industry challenges and develop a roadmap to support sustainable growth and investment in the sector.