Kwara Targets Bigger Share of Nigeria’s Growing Livestock Industry

The Kwara State Government says it is taking steps to position the state to benefit from Nigeria’s livestock industry, which is projected to grow from $32 billion to more than $70 billion in the coming years.

Commissioner for Livestock Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, disclosed this at the 2026 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

She said the state government is moving from subsistence livestock production to a more commercial system through investments and policy reforms.

According to her, the plan is to improve productivity, strengthen the livestock value chain, attract private investors, reduce imports and expand Nigeria’s position in the global livestock market.

Thomas said the state is using the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone to support the programme.

She said the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone will provide infrastructure such as roads, power supply, cold storage facilities, abattoirs, veterinary clinics, artificial insemination centres and cargo facilities for investors and processors.

Thomas added that the administration of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is focusing on livestock as a key sector for economic growth, industrial development and job creation.

Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Biola Azeez, said the event brought together journalists from national and international media organisations to discuss development issues in the state.