The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Murkta Maiha, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s agricultural and livestock sectors as a pathway to ensuring food security, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and driving economic diversification.
Speaking at the Africa Agriculture Dialogue 2025 held in Abuja on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the Minister emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving this goal. “To unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector, we must improve access to finance, technology, and knowledge,” Maiha stated. “This is why our collaboration with the African Development Bank and other stakeholders—including herders and processors—is critical in ensuring inclusive participation across the agricultural value chain.”
Maiha described the Dialogue as a major initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting that agriculture, and particularly the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, are central to the administration’s transformation drive. He referenced global models to support his message, saying, “Countries like Denmark and Ghana, which are less endowed than Nigeria, have successfully transformed their agricultural sectors. With focus, innovation, and strong institutions, there is no reason Nigeria cannot achieve even greater success.”
The Minister further stressed the economic value embedded in the livestock sector. “There is no waste in the animal kingdom. From meat to dairy, leather to by-products, every component has economic value. Our task is to build systems that convert these opportunities into sustainable businesses,” he said. He also called for increased strategic investments and public-private partnerships to develop a profitable and inclusive agricultural economy capable of supporting rural communities and boosting national revenue.
In her remarks, the Consul General of Denmark, Honourable Jette Bjerrum, emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and partnership in agricultural growth. She said Denmark remains committed to demonstrating practical solutions and supporting risk mitigation through financing and collaboration, underscoring Denmark’s readiness to strengthen bilateral agricultural ties with Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Li Zhensheng, Chairman of the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Centre, pledged support for Nigeria’s livestock development. He pointed out that irrigation remains a major challenge and announced plans to introduce China’s advanced water conservation technologies to enable sustainable year-round farming.
Dr. Abdul Kamara, representative of the African Development Bank Group, reaffirmed the Bank’s continued support for agricultural transformation across Africa, noting the Bank’s ongoing investments in agricultural infrastructure and livestock value chain development.
Earlier, the Embedded Advisor for Agriculture at the African Development Bank (AFDB), Richard-Mark Mbaram, said Africa’s agricultural success depends on how well governments, private investors, and development institutions align their efforts to empower smallholder farmers, enhance value chains, and ensure that agricultural growth translates into real socio-economic progress.
The two-day programme, themed “Unlocking Finance for Agricultural Transformation in Africa,” brought together key stakeholders from across the agricultural ecosystem, including government officials, investors, and international partners.