President Bola Tinubu has announced an ambitious plan to grow the economic impact of the livestock sector, which currently stands at $32 billion. Speaking at the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture in Abuja, the President—represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume—highlighted that this initiative is vital for job creation, food security, and national economic diversification.
With a national population including 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats, and 660 million poultry, Nigeria aims to modernize its livestock industry. To achieve this, the government established the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 to transition the sector from traditional subsistence methods to a technology-driven, competitive market.
The administration’s National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy focuses on several key areas, such as enhancing animal genetics, improving healthcare services, and expanding commercial feed production. Furthermore, the President noted that shifting toward ranching and modern production systems will help boost output while mitigating long-standing conflicts tied to traditional herding practices.
To support these goals, the government is actively seeking private sector investment in meat processing, dairy production, and leather goods. A specific dairy transformation program is also underway, utilizing better breeding systems and improved infrastructure to increase local milk production.
