Tinubu targets doubling livestock sector’s $32bn contribution

…says Nigeria has 58m cattle, 64m sheep, 124m goats, 660m poultry

…as govt targets millions of jobs, cuts dependence on dairy imports

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled plans to more than double the livestock sector’s annual contribution to Nigeria’s economy to over $ 32 billion, positioning the country as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa, thenationonlineng.net reported.

Tinubu said the transformation of the sector would also strengthen food security, create millions of jobs, reduce dependence on imports and further diversify the economy.

The President spoke 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.

He said the livestock industry remained a major source of food, employment and economic opportunities, with its current annual contribution to the national economy exceeding $32 billion.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu said, “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”.

The President disclosed that Nigeria currently has more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry species, supporting millions of livelihoods across the country.

According to him, the administration has placed agriculture and food security at the centre of its Renewed Hope Agenda, with the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 underscoring its determination to unlock the sector’s potential.

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

Tinubu explained that the ministry was established to facilitate the transition of livestock production from largely subsistence and traditional practices to a modern, technology-driven, commercially competitive and globally integrated industry.

Tinubu said the Federal Government had also approved institutional reforms arising from the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms to strengthen governance, raise productivity, promote peaceful livestock production systems and attract private sector investment.

The President identified the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy as one of the major initiatives being implemented to unlock opportunities across the livestock value chain.

“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”, he said.

Tinubu said the government was also promoting ranching and modern livestock production systems to boost productivity and reduce conflicts associated with traditional methods of livestock production.

He added that investments were being encouraged in dairy production, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure to deepen the sector’s contribution to economic growth.

The President said his administration was taking deliberate steps to reduce the country’s dependence on imported dairy products, which consume significant amounts of foreign exchange.

“Our ongoing dairy transformation programme seeks to double local milk production through improved genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems, and stronger private sector participation,” Tinubu said.

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

Tinubu also identified livestock production as an important avenue for addressing unemployment, particularly among young Africans.

“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.

He said the administration was working to expand the participation of young people and women in livestock businesses by improving access to finance, innovation, digital technology and value-chain opportunities, as well as strengthening partnerships with the private sector.

The President also called for greater cooperation among African countries to address challenges confronting livestock production, including animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and transboundary livestock movements.

“The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation”, he said.

Tinubu pledged Nigeria’s continued support for stronger regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade.

He urged delegates at the conference to come up with practical recommendations on animal health and disease control, climate-smart livestock production, genetics, regional trade, youth and women empowerment, research, innovation and investment.

The President assured the gathering that Nigeria was prepared to collaborate with other 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.

Tinubu subsequently declared the conference open, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to providing leadership in the transformation of Africa’s livestock industry.