The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand Nigeria's livestock economy from its current estimated value of $32 billion to $74 billion within the next decade. This transformation is anchored on a $300 million support package from the African Development Bank (AfDB), targeting feed production, animal health systems, breed improvement, and rural infrastructure.
The initiative is complemented by Nigeria's participation in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme, which has attracted over $530 million in investment to Ogun State alone. The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed these details during his keynote address at the 28th Global Convention and 27th Annual Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Alumni Association.
National Livestock Transformation Plan
The strategy is built on the National Livestock Transformation Plan, alongside new financing and infrastructure initiatives. The event, themed “CRAFTING a Sustainable Business & Human Wellbeing,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and alumni to discuss transforming agriculture into a multi-billion-dollar engine for jobs, food security, and exports.
Represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Knowledge Management & Communication, Mr. Richard-Mark Mbaram, the Minister emphasized that the livestock sector is no longer a subsistence activity but a business ecosystem. He stressed a shift towards structured, sedentary, and productivity-driven systems.
Historic Ministry Creation
Maiha noted that the creation of a dedicated livestock ministry, a first in Nigeria’s history by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marks a decisive policy pivot aimed at unlocking value across meat, dairy, poultry, and related value chains. He also highlighted the role of livestock in improving child nutrition through an expanded school feeding programme, supported by a $20 million grant from development partners. This initiative aims to boost dietary protein intake among children while guaranteeing stable markets for local producers.
Addressing Agricultural Inefficiencies
In his lecture titled “A MEGATREND Approach to Creating Long-Term Business and Investment in an Evolving Economy,” industrialist Alhaji Goke Adeyemi called for a pragmatic approach to long-term investment. While acknowledging global megatrends like artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, and energy transition, he argued that Nigeria’s most immediate opportunities lie in fixing basic inefficiencies, particularly post-harvest losses in agriculture.
“Up to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural produce is lost due to poor storage, logistics, and processing,” he noted, pointing to cold-chain infrastructure, agro-processing, and market linkages as high-impact investment areas. “The fastest path to becoming a global agri-food exporter is not just technology, it is reliability and infrastructure,” he stressed.
University and Alumni Engagement
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatunde Kehinde described the alumni network as a critical partner in development. He cited ongoing alumni-led initiatives, including a 2,000-hectare farm hub, transport services, and student support programmes, as examples of diaspora engagement driving tangible impact.
The Alumni Association, led globally by Otunba Bolaji Gbadamosi, celebrated achievements and issued a call to action. With chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada supporting scholarships, food programmes, and academic mentoring, the association is positioning itself as a transnational development network.
Key Highlights
Highlights of the convention included the launch of the maiden Alumni Compendium and a proposed partnership between the alumni body and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to transform the University’s farm hub into a national innovation and demonstration centre. This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.
