By Daniel Karlmax
The Minister of Livestock Development Mr. Muktar Idi Maiha has described the establishment of the Ministry as a landmark initiative capable of transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry toward addressing longstanding challenges in the sector.
The Minister stated this during a one day stakeholders forum organised to appreciate the present administration for the initiative and demonstrate the livestock community’s support in Kaduna.
He said the establishment of the ministry had given the livestock industry the institutional recognition to address the concerns of pastoralists as well as repositioned it as a strategic component of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.
The minister noted that despite the country’s enormous livestock resources and economic potential, the industry had remained neglected for decades due to inadequate infrastructure and limited access to veterinary services among others.
According to the minister, Nigeria has approximately 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 70 million sheep, 9.3 million pigs, 3.2 million donkeys, 700,000 camels and 300 million birds, figures he said underscored the need for deliberate investment in animal production, disease control, feed development, processing and marketing.
He explained that the Federal Government was implementing policies and programmes to address these challenges and establish a stronger framework for investment in livestock breeding, animal health, feed and fodder production, market infrastructure and access to finance.
The Minister urged livestock associations and stakeholders to take ownership of the ministry’s programmes by identifying their needs, challenges and areas requiring government intervention.
He further encouraged young Nigerians to view livestock production beyond its traditional status as an occupation, describing it as a profitable, technology-driven enterprise with enormous opportunities for employment and wealth creation.
Also speaking, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani explained that the government was implementing reforms aimed at improving livestock production and the welfare of pastoralist communities.
Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, the governor disclosed that the state’s budgetary allocation to livestock development had increased from N1.48 billion in 2023 to over N100 billion in 2026.
He said the government had provided solar-powered water facilities in pastoralist communities, expanded livestock vaccination programmes, introduced artificial insemination services and supported the cultivation of improved pasture to enhance milk production.
According to him, improvements in feeding and breeding practices had increased milk yields among some local cattle breeds from about 1.5 litres to between three and four litres.
He added that the state was also upgrading slaughter facilities and strengthening infrastructure across the livestock value chain.
In his remarks, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, commended President Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a long-awaited intervention for the industry.
He noted that the development had also encouraged some state governments to establish similar ministries or institutions to coordinate livestock development.
The stakeholders subsequently pledged their collective support to the present administration, saying the decision to establish a dedicated ministry for livestock development was a significant step worthy of recognition.
The event, themed “United for Inclusion, Representation and Prosperity,” brought together pastoralists, livestock farmers, traders, butchers, processors, political stakeholders and other industry players to deliberate on opportunities for improving livelihoods and strengthening the livestock sector.
Editing By Godwin Duru
