FG Calls for Investment in Livestock Processing and Leather Production

The Federal Government has urged private investors to expand funding for livestock processing, leather manufacturing and fodder production to create jobs and increase Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the call on Thursday at the AGROMEQA Expo 2026 in Abuja. He said Nigeria’s large domestic market offered opportunities for businesses to expand livestock production and meet rising demand.

Maiha stressed the need for better animal identification, disease monitoring, laboratory testing and product traceability to improve safety and meet international export requirements.

He also urged investors to move beyond semi-processed leather to finished products such as shoes, bags and upholstery. He identified fodder production and meat processing as other areas with potential for employment and business growth.

The minister said the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development would work with industry stakeholders to improve animal health standards and create a better environment for investment.

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Jani Ibrahim, called for more investment in agricultural machinery, storage, processing and export infrastructure.

The Executive Director of Operations at NIRSAL, Ewaen Imohe, also highlighted the need for improved mechanisation and financing, noting that Nigeria had fewer than one tractor per 1,000 hectares of arable land.

Stakeholders at the expo called for stronger cooperation among government, financial institutions and private investors to improve agricultural productivity, create jobs and expand exports.