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The Federal Government has signalled a renewed push to develop Nigeria’s donkey value chain, with plans to support farmers through funding, policy reforms, and stricter enforcement against illegal activities in the sector.
This position was made known by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during a meeting with the National Association of Donkey Farmers of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the engagement, the Minister emphasised the growing importance of donkeys within rural economies, noting that the animals remain critical to transportation, smallholder farming, and livelihoods across several communities in the country.
He explained that while donkeys are often associated with tourism activities, their economic relevance extends far beyond leisure use. According to him, the Ministry intends to better understand the operational challenges within the sector, including disease patterns, breeding limitations, and market opportunities, in order to design targeted interventions.
Maiha added that the government is open to collaborating closely with stakeholders, particularly donkey users and farmers, to identify key constraints affecting productivity. He noted that the species found in Nigeria differ from those in North Africa, making it necessary to develop localised research and health management strategies.
As part of efforts to formalise the sector, the Minister called for the development of structured literature and guidelines that would support individuals interested in donkey farming, particularly in areas such as breeding, processing, and export of donkey skin.
On the issue of illegal trade, Maiha disclosed that the government is reviewing existing laws to address long-standing illicit activities. He referenced a market where donkeys have reportedly been traded illegally for over a decade, stressing that stronger legislation and enforcement mechanisms will be introduced to curb such practices.
In his remarks, the President of the National Association of Donkey Farmers of Nigeria, Abubakar Kagu, raised concerns about the declining donkey population in the country. He attributed the trend to uncontrolled slaughter, illegal trade, and the absence of structured breeding and conservation programmes.
Kagu called on the Federal Government to implement clear policies that would support the preservation and expansion of the donkey population. He proposed the establishment of breeding and multiplication centres in key producing regions as a strategic step towards sustainable development of the sector.
He further commended the Ministry for its ongoing efforts in revitalising the livestock industry, expressing optimism that increased attention to donkey farming would unlock new economic opportunities for rural communities and stakeholders across the value chain.
