The Federal Government has given Nigerians firm assurance that the ongoing reforms and investments in the livestock sector will soon produce tangible benefits that citizens can see and experience directly.
Minister's Assurance at Yola Council Inauguration
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made this commitment during the official inauguration of the National Council on Livestock Development held yesterday in Yola, Adamawa State. The minister revealed that significant progress has been made over the past year through strategic partnerships.
"We will see the physical manifestation of these engagements in a few months," Maiha declared confidently during the event that took place on November 25, 2025.
Major Investments Across Value Chains
The minister highlighted that multiple bilateral and private-sector collaborations have generated strong expressions of interest from companies seeking to invest in critical value chains. These include comprehensive coverage of:
- Dairy production and processing
- Beef value chain development
- Fodder production systems
- Small ruminants and animal breeding
- Poultry and piggery operations
- Advanced animal identification systems
Development partners are already providing substantial support for initiatives focused on dairy development, peacebuilding efforts, and climate-smart livestock production methods.
Transforming Traditional Practices into Modern Enterprise
According to a statement from the ministry's Assistant Chief Information Officer, Ogochukwu Igboamalu, the minister explained that the Council's primary purpose is to coordinate national strategies and foster collaboration across the sector.
The Ministry, which was established 16 months ago, has a clear mandate to transform the livestock industry from traditional and conflict-prone practices into a modern, sustainable, and economically thriving enterprise.
The ambitious goal is to elevate the sector's contribution to the economy from the current $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035, in alignment with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) and the National Livestock Master Plan.
Maiha emphasized that these developments offer real hope for pastoralists, farmers, and rural households who have long awaited stability, better incomes, safer grazing environments, and stronger animal health systems.
"When stakeholders collaborate, the livestock sector becomes a beacon of prosperity, a source of national pride, shared progress, peace, and food security for all Nigerians," the minister stated.
State Support and Strategic Recommendations
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by Deputy Governor Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, acknowledged the historical significance of livestock to the state's economy. He specifically appealed for financial support to expand the state's pilot ranch project, which forms part of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).
Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Reforms, Prof. Attahiru Jega, stressed the critical importance of converting conflict drivers into economic opportunities. He proposed reorganizing farmer-pastoralist corridors into structured fodder production hubs that would actively engage both youth farmers and herders.
The Federal Government's comprehensive approach aims to position the livestock sector as a key driver of economic diversification, food security, and rural development across Nigeria.
