The Federal Government has unveiled plans to more than double the economic contribution of Nigeria’s livestock sector, projecting growth from $32bn to over $74bn within the next decade.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed the target on Tuesday during a livestock stakeholders’ engagement in Ilorin, organised by the Kwara State Government. The forum brought together more than 250 stakeholders across the livestock value chain, including farmers, processors, veterinarians and industry associations.
Speaking through his Special Adviser, Mark Mbaram, the minister said the government was repositioning the livestock sub-sector as a strategic pillar for food security, employment generation and economic diversification.
Maiha said food security has become a core element of national security, prompting the Federal Government to prioritise livestock development. He revealed that a National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy has been developed and approved by the National Economic Council, with a strong emphasis on productivity and sustainability.
As part of the reforms, the government has established a special committee to promote ranching as the preferred model for livestock production, replacing open grazing practices that have become increasingly unsustainable.
“The era of open grazing and itinerant herding is no longer viable economically or environmentally. Ranching offers better animal management, higher yields and improved returns for investors,” Maiha said, noting that the transition enjoys broad support, including among traditional pastoral communities.
He identified key growth opportunities across beef production, poultry, dairy, micro-ruminants and allied value chains, adding that a sector once seen as a development challenge could now emerge as a major economic driver.
The minister praised Kwara State for its leadership in livestock reforms, describing the state as a critical partner in implementing the Federal Government’s strategy.
In her remarks, the Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said the state was committed to resolving long-standing challenges in the sector through inclusive dialogue and policy-backed interventions.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development also acknowledged that the sector had suffered years of underinvestment when previously housed under the Ministry of Agriculture. They said stronger public-private partnerships, improved access to finance and better market linkages could unlock its full potential.
Meanwhile, veterinary experts at the forum stressed that animal health remains central to productivity, urging farmers to prioritise vaccination and disease prevention to reduce losses and safeguard public health.
