Tinubu unveils plan to double Nigeria’s $32bn livestock economy, promotes ranching, dairy investment

President Bola Tinubu has unveiled plans to more than double the contribution of Nigeria’s livestock sector to Nigeria’s economy, from its current estimated $32 billion to more than $64 billion annually.

Tinubu spoke on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, themed “Repositioning Animal Agriculture for Africa’s Food Security and Global Competitiveness”.

The president, who was represented by George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), said the administration was determined to transform livestock production from largely subsistence practices into a modern, commercially viable and globally competitive industry.

“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.

Tinubu said the livestock sector supports millions of livelihoods across the country.

He said the government’s target would be driven by reforms aimed at increasing productivity, strengthening value chains, improving animal health services, expanding commercial feed production, enhancing livestock genetics and promoting climate-smart production systems.

The president said the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 was a major step towards unlocking the sector’s potential.

“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development marked the beginning of a comprehensive national livestock transformation programme,” he added.

Tinubu said the government was also implementing recommendations of the presidential committee on livestock reforms, including measures to improve governance, increase productivity, promote peaceful livestock production and attract private-sector investment.

He said the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy would focus on opportunities across the livestock value chain, including dairy production, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure.

The president also highlighted ranching and other modern livestock production systems as part of efforts to improve productivity and address conflicts associated with traditional livestock production.

On dairy production, Tinubu said the government was seeking to increase local milk production and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported milk.

“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 added.

The president said the programme would support improved animal breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure, private dairy investments and modern processing facilities.

Tinubu also said the livestock sector had the potential to create millions of jobs, particularly for young Nigerians.

“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.

The president added that the government would also promote greater participation by women and young people through improved access to finance, digital technology, innovation, value-chain opportunities and private-sector partnerships.

Timubu said the sector should no longer be viewed only as a source of food but as an integrated commercial industry covering production, processing, transportation, technology, finance and exports.

He also called for greater cooperation among African countries to tackle challenges including animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and transboundary livestock movement.

“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 added.

The president said Nigeria would continue to support stronger regional cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly through livestock production and trade across African markets.

He challenged 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.

AASAP SEEKS COLLABORATION ON LIVESTOCK TRANSFORMATION

Mizeck Chagunda, interim president of the All African Society for Animal Production (AASAP), said the conference should serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration rather than merely a gathering for presentations.

“Let us continue to use this conference as a platform, not only just as a meeting, but a conference where, when we listen to those papers and presentations, we start a dialogue, we start a conversation,” he said.

Chagunda said collaboration was necessary to achieve meaningful transformation in Africa’s livestock sector.

“It’s only by working together that we can endure and continue to strengthen the role of livestock in Africa,” he added.

Chinyere Akujobi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, described livestock as a critical component of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

She said Africa’s growing population, changing food systems, climate change and expanding markets made it necessary to explore how animal agriculture could contribute more effectively to food security and economic growth.

The five-day conference, which began on August 9, will run until August 13 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.