The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030, with the livestock sub-sector projected to contribute at least $74 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2035.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during the Donor and Development Partners Workshop on Livestock Development in Nigeria, held in Abuja. He stated that the government has designed a comprehensive roadmap known as the Nigeria National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which aims to transform the sector through private sector participation.
According to Alhaji Maiha, “To realise this vision, the government has developed a market-oriented, private-sector-led and public-sector-enabled strategy that focuses on sustainable livestock production.” He identified key pillars of the strategy as Livestock Value Chain Development and Market Access, Water Resources Management, and Feed and Fodder Development.
The minister urged donor agencies and development partners to continuously share experiences, ambitions, and innovative ideas with the Ministry. He said such collaboration would help build a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive livestock industry capable of supporting economic diversification and food security.
The Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to Nigeria, Dr Hussain Godain, emphasised the critical role of the livestock industry in rural livelihoods. He noted that “the livestock sector employs millions of Nigerians and Africans, contributing significantly to food security and income generation.” He added that FAO is developing policies to ensure sustainable and safe food access through livestock production.
Similarly, the Programme Manager of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Temifayo Omole, highlighted the EU’s ongoing investments in vaccine production. He assured that the European Union “will continue to support Nigeria’s livestock development,” describing the sector as the country’s potential next “gold mine.”