Tinubu targets over $64bn livestock sector contribution

President Bola Tinubu's administration is setting an ambitious target to significantly boost Nigeria's livestock sector, aiming to more than double its current annual economic contribution from $32 billion to over $64 billion. This strategic push is a key component of the government's broader agenda to strengthen food security, generate employment, and diversify the national economy.

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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.

Speaking at the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture in Abuja, the President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, highlighted the sector's current importance. He noted that Nigeria's livestock industry, encompassing over 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats, and 660 million poultry, is a major source of food, employment, and economic opportunity for many citizens.

Tinubu formally opened the conference, reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to leading Africa's livestock transformation. He announced that the national strategy includes positioning Nigeria as a premier hub for livestock production and processing across the continent. A significant step in this direction was the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024, signaling a dedicated focus on modernizing the agricultural sector.

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The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development marked the beginning of a comprehensive national livestock transformation programme.

The new ministry's mandate is to transition livestock production from traditional, subsistence practices to a modern, technology-driven, and commercially competitive industry. The administration has also approved institutional reforms based on recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms. These reforms aim to improve governance, enhance productivity, foster peaceful coexistence in livestock production, and attract substantial private sector investment. Initiatives like the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy are being implemented to increase productivity, strengthen value chains, improve animal health, expand commercial feed production, enhance genetics, and promote climate-smart systems.

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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.