The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration between key stakeholders and the public sector to harness the untapped potential within Nigeria’s livestock industry. This appeal was made during the Northern Nigeria Livestock Summit held in Abuja on Thursday, where the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muhktar, underscored the strategic importance of the sector to the nation’s economy.
Represented by a senior official in the ministry, Abdulkareem Durosilorun, the minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development, describing the move as a visionary step toward unlocking the economic benefits embedded in animal agriculture—an industry that contributes approximately 6 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to Muhktar, livestock production remains a major livelihood source for millions of Nigerians, especially in rural communities. He noted that beyond economic contribution, the sector plays a vital role in national food security, supplying a substantial portion of the country’s protein needs. The minister emphasized that with the right strategies in place, Nigeria’s livestock industry could rival other sectors in generating employment, reducing poverty, and supporting nutritional development.
However, the minister did not shy away from highlighting the longstanding challenges facing the industry. Issues such as low productivity, frequent disease outbreaks, poor access to credit, and the escalating impacts of climate change continue to hinder progress. He advocated for a multipronged approach to overcome these hurdles, pointing to the adoption of improved breeding techniques, climate-resilient feeding practices, integrated disease control mechanisms, and the deployment of digital tools in livestock management as viable solutions.
Speaking on the importance of partnerships, Muhktar stressed that the private sector has a pivotal role to play in transforming the industry. He urged for increased investment in critical infrastructure, availability of quality inputs, training and capacity-building initiatives for herders and farmers, as well as broader access to local and international markets.
The two-day summit attracted stakeholders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, marking a significant step in fostering dialogue and action on sustainable livestock development in Nigeria. The forum provided a platform for policy makers, investors, researchers, and livestock farmers to engage on best practices for managing livestock in the 21st century.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and strengthen food systems, the livestock sector is poised to emerge as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, provided strategic partnerships and policy implementation are sustained.
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