President Bola Tinubu says his administration plans to more than double the livestock sector’s current annual contribution of more than $32 billion to Nigeria’s economy.
Tinubu spoke on Monday at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture in Abuja. He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The President said the target formed part of efforts to strengthen food security, create jobs and diversify the economy.
“Our national strategy aims to more than double the sector’s economic contributions to position Nigeria as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa,” he said.
Tinubu said Nigeria has more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry, supporting livelihoods across the country.
He said agriculture and food security were central to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 marked the start of a national livestock transformation programme.
The ministry was created to move livestock production from largely subsistence and traditional practices towards a modern, technology-driven, commercially competitive and globally integrated industry, he said.
Tinubu said his administration had approved institutional reforms based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms. The reforms are intended to strengthen governance, improve productivity, promote peaceful livestock production systems and attract private-sector investment.
He identified the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy as one of the initiatives being implemented to expand the sector.
The strategy focuses on improving livestock productivity, value chains, animal health services, commercial feed production, genetics and climate-smart production systems. It also aims to improve peacebuilding and position Nigeria as a regional hub for livestock investment and exports.
Tinubu said the promotion of ranching and modern livestock production systems was intended to improve productivity and reduce conflicts associated with traditional production methods.
He added that the administration was seeking investment across dairy, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure.
Nigeria’s dairy transformation programme, he said, seeks to double local milk production through improved genetics, nutrition, modern breeding systems and stronger private-sector participation.
The President said the livestock value chain could create millions of jobs for young people, with the government working to improve youth and women’s access to finance, innovation, digital technology, value-chain development and private-sector partnerships.
Tinubu also called for stronger continental cooperation on animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and transboundary livestock movements.
“The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation,” he said.
