Nigeria Loses Billions Transporting Livestock Long Distances for Slaughter

Nigeria is losing billions of naira through the transportation of live animals over distances of up to 1,200 kilometres for slaughter, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said.

Maiha described the practice as economically wasteful, noting that processing animals closer to production centres would reduce transportation costs, create jobs and increase revenue for producing communities.

He made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 Animal Science Meeting, Industry Exposition and Livestock Exploration Forum. He called for a shift towards modern livestock processing, ranching and marketing systems.

The minister also expressed concern over the poor utilisation of animal by-products such as blood, bones, hides and hooves, which could provide raw materials for leather production, manufacturing and other industries.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had begun engaging stakeholders to improve livestock processing, with groundbreaking ceremonies already conducted for two projects in Plateau and Edo states.

Maiha urged state governments to invest in processing facilities and partner with private investors to develop the sector. He also called on researchers and animal scientists to provide practical solutions to challenges such as high feed costs, animal diseases and low productivity.

Earlier, the President of the Animal Science Association of Nigeria, Raymond Isiandinso, and the President of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Simeon Ohwofa, called for stronger collaboration among researchers, government and industry players to advance livestock production and support economic development.