President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration is targeting more than doubling the annual contribution of Nigeria’s livestock sector to the national economy, currently estimated at over $32 billion.
The President stated this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume CON.
President Tinubu said the livestock sector remained a major source of food, employment and economic opportunities, stressing that its transformation was central to the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen food security, create jobs and diversify the economy.
“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,” he said.
According to an official statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nigeria currently has more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry species supporting livelihoods across the country.
The President said the administration had placed agriculture and food security at the centre of its Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 as evidence of its commitment to transforming the sector.
He explained that the ministry was established to move livestock production from predominantly subsistence and traditional practices to a modern, technology-driven, commercially competitive and globally integrated industry.
President Tinubu said the Federal Government had also approved institutional reforms based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms to strengthen governance, improve productivity, promote peaceful livestock production systems and attract private investment.
He identified the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy as one of the key initiatives being implemented to unlock the sector’s potential.
According to him, the strategy focuses on increasing livestock productivity, strengthening value chains, improving animal health services, expanding commercial feed production, enhancing livestock genetics, promoting climate-smart production and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for livestock investment and exports.
The President said the government was promoting ranching and modern livestock production systems to improve productivity and reduce conflicts associated with traditional livestock practices.
He added that investments were being encouraged in dairy production, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure.
On dairy production, President Tinubu said the government was taking deliberate measures to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products, noting the significant foreign exchange currently spent on milk imports.
“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.
He said the programme would support improved breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure, private dairy investments and modern processing facilities.
President Tinubu further said the livestock value chain had the capacity to create millions of jobs for Nigeria’s growing youth population, while efforts were being made to increase the participation of women and young people through improved access to finance, innovation, digital technology, value-chain development and private-sector partnerships.
He stressed the need for stronger continental cooperation, noting that animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and transboundary livestock movements required coordinated solutions.
“The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation,” the President said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting stronger regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade.
President Tinubu urged delegates at the conference to develop practical recommendations on animal health, disease control, climate-smart production, livestock genetics, regional trade, youth and women empowerment, research, innovation and investment.
He assured participants that Nigeria was ready to work with African countries, development partners, research institutions and the private sector to build a productive, sustainable and globally competitive livestock industry.
The President subsequently declared the conference open and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing leadership in Africa’s livestock transformation.
