FG Reaffirms Commitment to Federal-State-Private Sector Partnership for Livestock Transformation.

The Federal Government
 has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector into a modern, sustainable and globally competitive industry capable of strengthening food and nutrition security, creating jobs and driving rural economic development.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated this on Friday, 14 August 2026, during a Ministerial Briefing with stakeholders in the livestock sector, including veterinary professionals, breeders, processors, livestock dealers, investors, civil society organisations and international development partners.

The Minister said ,the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), established in July 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is providing a strategic framework for implementing the livestock transformation agenda of the Renewed Hope Administration.

He explained that ,the livestock sector encompasses poultry, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, camels, rabbits, grass-cutters, snails and honeybees, as well as the associated value chains covering feed and fodder, water, animal health, logistics, processing and transportation.

According to the Minister, the success of livestock transformation depends on a strong partnership between the Federal Government, State Governments and the private sector, with each tier playing complementary roles.

He noted that ,while the Federal Government would provide national policies, technical standards, animal-health and food-safety protocols, traceability systems, data management, investment facilitation and regulatory coordination, States would provide suitable land, local infrastructure, community engagement, security coordination and producer mobilisation.

Maiha disclosed that, since the creation of the Ministry, the number of States with dedicated livestock Ministries or agencies has increased from three to 20, demonstrating growing institutional commitment to livestock development across the country.

He further explained that the proposed Federal-State-Private Sector Livestock Development Centres would be commercially oriented platforms designed to attract investment in priority livestock value chains selected by individual States based on their agro-ecology, available feed and water resources, market demand, producer capacity and investment potential.

The Centres, he stressed, would not be government farms or isolated construction projects, but integrated platforms linking producers and investors to commercially viable enterprises such as breeding, feed production, dairy, meat processing, abattoirs, cold-chain facilities, logistics, leather production, biogas and organic fertiliser.

The Minister emphasised that, there would be no imposition of livestock value chains on States, noting that Nigeria's diverse ecological and socio-economic conditions require locally driven solutions.

He said the approach is consistent with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), a 10-pillar roadmap approved by the National Economic Council to address systemic challenges and attract large-scale private investment into the sector.

According to him, NL-GAS seeks to increase the livestock sector's contribution to the national economy from about US$32 billion to at least US$74 billion by 2035, while addressing challenges relating to animal health, feed, water, finance, infrastructure, extension, peacebuilding, women and youth participation, and data management.

Maiha identified major challenges confronting the livestock sector to include inadequate genetics, scarcity of feed and water, land administration issues, weak veterinary and extension services, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and logistics, and limited private-sector investment.

He noted that ,these challenges cannot be effectively addressed by one level of government, stressing that coordinated Federal-State-private sector action is essential.

The Minister also highlighted, the imbalance between livestock production in northern Nigeria and the major consumer markets in the South, noting that the transportation of live animals over long distances increases costs and exposes the sector to security and supply risks.

He therefore, advocated demand-driven State investment plans that would enable each State to develop livestock species and value chains based on its comparative advantages and local market opportunities.

He further stressed the importance of women and youth participation in livestock development, saying the proposed Centres would promote enterprise ownership, value addition, skills development, access to technology and employment opportunities.

Maiha expressed confidence that ,the partnership model would create a more productive, peaceful and commercially viable livestock sector while supporting rural development, wealth creation and shared prosperity.

He said the Livestock Development Centres would serve as practical implementation platforms for NL-GAS and the Nigeria Livestock Master Plan, translating national policies into locally accountable investments and value-chain development.

The Minister reiterated the Federal Government's commitment, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, to building a livestock sector that is modern, sustainable, profitable, conflict-sensitive and globally competitive.

Earlier, the Interim President of the College of Veterinary Surgeons, Professor Akinrenmade, together with veterinary scholars and the leadership of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, commended the Minister and Permanent Secretary for their leadership and efforts towards transforming the livestock sector.

The Veterinary Scholars
 presented an award to the Minister  and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi,  in recognition of their leadership and commitment to livestock development.

Receiving the award, Minister  Maiha thanked the veterinary professionals and stakeholders for their support, assuring them that the Ministry would continue to work with all relevant partners to change the narrative and accelerate the transformation of Nigeria's livestock sector.

Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Unit
14 August 2026