By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, March 31, 2026 (NAN) The Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Maiha, has advocated stronger support and investment to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Maiha spoke at the National Stakeholders Roundtable on Transforming the Livestock Sector in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event had as its theme: “Improving Production, Enhancing Collaboration and Mobilising Investment to Strengthen Sector Growth Nationwide”.
He said careful decisions and collective commitment were required to transform the livestock sector.
According to him, government and development partners should collaborate to achieve sustainable growth and lasting development.
The minister said the livestock sector sustained millions of livelihoods, employed no fewer than 30 per cent of the rural population.
He said it also contributed to roughly 17 per cent to Nigeria’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He welcomed representatives of the international community, partners from several countries and development organisations.
The minister appreciated their presence and continued support toward initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s livestock development efforts.
Maiha also acknowledged private sector leaders, investors, ranchers and the media, noting their critical role in attracting investment, promoting innovation and strengthening collaboration needed to advance sustainable livestock growth.
The President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, emphasised that stronger government support, increased private sector participation and improved infrastructure were essential for modernising livestock production.
He said that Nigeria’s livestock industry played vital roles in food security, employment generation and rural development.
However, he said, it was still faced challenges including low productivity, weak veterinary services, poor feed systems.
Obegolu urged collaboration among federal and state governments, development partners and the private sector to improve animal health systems, expand livestock value chains and promote sustainable management.
According to him, the Federal Government has taken steps to reposition the industry, including establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development to drive reforms and strengthen productivity across livestock value chains.
He said transforming the sector would reduce Nigeria’s food imports, boost exports such as red meat and dairy products, while creating millions of jobs in farming, processing, logistics and marketing.
He said there was need for policies that support ranching, improve breeds, modern feed systems and access to financing for livestock farmers.
He said such measures would ensure long-term growth, stability and increased productivity.
Obegolu described the roundtable as the first private sector-led national engagement dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s livestock sector transformation through dialogue, investment promotion and strategic collaboration.
He said the Chamber remained the voice of the business community in the Federal Capital Territory, operating no fewer than 16 trade groups across major sectors.
According to him, a modern livestock sector holds enormous economic potential for Nigeria by enhancing food and nutrition security, generating employment opportunities and attracting greater domestic and foreign investment.
He said stakeholders at the roundtable would identify key industry challenges, prioritise practical solutions and develop a roadmap to drive sustainable growth, investment expansion and stronger livestock value chains.
Obegolu further said that the livestock sector should contribute significantly to Nigeria’s aspiration of building a one trillion dollar economy.
This, he said, could be through improved productivity, expanded trade opportunities and stronger agro-industrial linkages.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, said the livestock sector required greater expansion and strategic investment to enhance productivity, stimulate economic growth and strengthen food security.
Jani Ibrahim, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, described the meeting as timely and strategic for repositioning Nigeria’s livestock industry.
He urged investors and policymakers to support reforms that reposition the livestock sector as a modern high-value industry, capable of boosting food security, employment creation and economic diversification nationwide.
The Director-General, ACCI, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, said stronger private sector participation and effective public-private collaboration were essential for unlocking investment opportunities, strengthening value chains and transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
VOE/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne
