President Bola Tinubu has announced that his administration is targeting more than doubling the contribution of Nigeria’s livestock sector — currently valued at over $32 billion annually — to the national economy, as part of a broader push to boost food security, create jobs, and diversify the economy.
The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the declaration on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture.
“Our national strategy aims to more than double the sector’s economic contributions to position Nigeria as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa,” Tinubu said, describing the industry as a major source of food, employment, and economic opportunity.
He noted that Nigeria’s livestock population — over 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats, and 660 million poultry — supports livelihoods across the country.
Tinubu said agriculture and food security remain central to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 as evidence of the government’s commitment to transforming the sector.
“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development marked the beginning of a comprehensive national livestock transformation programme,” he said, explaining that the ministry was created to shift production from largely subsistence and traditional practices to a modern, technology-driven, commercially competitive, and globally integrated industry.
The President added that the government had approved institutional reforms based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms — measures designed to strengthen governance, improve productivity, promote peaceful livestock production systems, and attract private sector investment.
Growth Acceleration Strategy
Among the key initiatives being implemented, Tinubu said, is the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, which focuses on increasing livestock productivity, strengthening value chains, improving animal health services, expanding commercial feed production, enhancing livestock genetics, and promoting climate-smart production systems.
The strategy also prioritises peacebuilding and positions Nigeria as a regional hub for livestock investment and exports, he added.
According to the President, the government is actively promoting ranching and modern livestock production systems to improve productivity and reduce conflicts linked to traditional production methods. Investments are also being encouraged in dairy, meat processing, leather, feed milling, and livestock infrastructure.
Tinubu said his administration is taking deliberate steps to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported dairy products, which currently consume significant foreign exchange.
“Our ongoing dairy transformation programme seeks to double local milk production through improved genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems, and stronger private sector participation,” he said, adding that the programme would promote improved breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure, private dairy investments, and modern processing facilities.
He further stated that the livestock value chain offers opportunities to create millions of jobs for the country’s growing youth population, with efforts underway to boost youth and women’s participation in livestock businesses through improved access to finance, innovation, digital technology, value-chain development, and private-sector partnerships.
Call for Continental Cooperation
Stressing that challenges such as animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers, and transboundary livestock movements demand coordinated solutions, Tinubu called for stronger continental collaboration.
“The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation,” he said, pledging Nigeria’s support for deeper regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade.
The President urged delegates to develop practical recommendations on animal health, disease control, climate-smart production, livestock genetics, regional trade, youth and women empowerment, research, innovation, and investment.
“Together, we can transform Africa from a continent with enormous livestock potential into a global leader in livestock production,” he said, before formally declaring the conference open.
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