FG Confirms Abuja Agro-Industrial Livestock Hub Plan

The Federal Government says plans are on course to establish an agro-industrial livestock business hub in the Federal Capital Territory to support Nigeria’s livestock value chain and attract investment.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a strategic meeting in Abuja involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, ABIS Group, and Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).

Maiha said the ministry would work with the ABIS Group, L-PRES, and other partners to support the launch of the proposed ABIS Mega Livestock Processing Facility in Abuja. He said the project is expected to improve livestock production, strengthen processing systems, and expand market access for pastoral communities.

The minister said the meeting followed the inclusion of the ABIS Group in Nigeria’s delegation to a training programme on pastoral market access, quality assurance, and inclusive contracting held in Addis Ababa. The programme was organised by African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources under the African Pastoral Market Development platform, with participants from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

Leader of the ABIS Group, Emmanuel Usman, said the programme provided an opportunity for knowledge sharing and regional cooperation. National Coordinator of L-PRES, Sanusi Abubakar, also thanked the ministry for supporting the group’s participation.

ABIS General Manager, Kujo Reigans, said discussions focused on improving pastoral market systems, strengthening quality assurance, and promoting inclusive contracting in Nigeria’s livestock sector. He added that stakeholders also discussed funding support through Development Bank of Nigeria and visa delays affecting expatriates working on the Abuja livestock processing project.