President Bola Tinubu has said his administration is targeting more than doubling the contribution of Nigeria’s livestock sector to the national economy as part of efforts to boost food security, create jobs and diversify the economy.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume stated this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture.
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF Yemi Odunuga, President Tinubu said Nigeria’s livestock sector currently contributes more than $32bn annually to the national economy, stressing that the industry remained a major source of food, employment and economic opportunities.
“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.
He said Nigeria had more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry species supporting livelihoods across the country.
Tinubu said his administration had placed agriculture and food security at the centre of its Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 demonstrated 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.
According to him, the ministry was created to move livestock production from largely subsistence and traditional practices to a modern, technology-driven, commercially competitive and globally integrated industry.
He said the 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 sector investment.
President Tinubu said the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy was among the initiatives being implemented to unlock opportunities in the sector.
He said the strategy was designed to increase livestock productivity, strengthen value chains, improve animal health services, expand commercial feed production, enhance livestock genetics and promote climate-smart production systems.
“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 systems, improving peacebuilding, and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for livestock investment and exports,” the President said.
Tinubu added that the government was promoting ranching and modern livestock production systems as part of efforts to improve productivity and reduce conflicts associated with traditional livestock production.
He said investments were also being encouraged in dairy, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure.
The President said his administration was taking deliberate steps to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products, noting that the country currently spends significant foreign exchange 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.
Tinubu said the programme would promote improved breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure, private dairy investments and modern processing facilities.
He said the livestock value chain offered opportunities to create millions of jobs for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
“Millions of jobs can be created for our growing youth population in Africa. The Nigerian government is committed to fully optimising the value chain,” he said.
Tinubu also said efforts were being made to increase youth and women’s participation in livestock businesses through improved access to finance, innovation, digital technology, value-chain development and private-sector partnerships.
He stressed the need for stronger continental cooperation, saying 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,” Tinubu said.
He said Nigeria would continue to support stronger regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade.
The President 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.
“Together, we can transform Africa from a continent with enormous livestock potential into a global leader in livestock production,” Tinubu said.
He formally declared the conference open and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing leadership in Africa’s livestock transformation.
