Abuja, October 24, 2024 – In a bid to reform Nigeria’s livestock industry, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, addressed stakeholders at the Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms held at the State House Banquet Hall. The President highlighted the livestock sector’s importance, emphasizing its role in economic development and food security.
Acknowledging the country’s vast livestock resources, Tinubu outlined the challenges facing the industry, including low productivity and high import costs, and the need to shift from subsistence to a commercial model. “We aim to transform the livestock sector into a thriving, commercialised industry that significantly contributes to Nigeria’s GDP and provides decent jobs,” he stated. Despite Nigeria’s vast livestock population, production levels fall short, with low milk and meat yields compared to global standards.
To address these issues, President Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee in July 2024. The committee’s inception report, submitted recently, serves as a foundation for reforms designed to boost investment, create employment, and foster sustainable livelihoods.
The President also announced the creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development, aimed at harnessing investment opportunities and supporting a sustainable and productive sector. “Livestock development is not merely an economic imperative but a social and moral one. It is our duty to our children and future generations to get this right,” he emphasized, calling on state governors to join in these efforts.
Tinubu urged for practical solutions to long-standing issues such as ranching versus open grazing, seeking to unite stakeholders in building a modernized and resilient livestock sector. As the workshop commenced, he expressed optimism, saying, “Together, we can elevate Nigeria to its rightful place as a leader in sustainable livestock production.”
The consultative workshop marks a critical step in Nigeria’s journey toward a revitalized livestock sector, with a focus on boosting food security, reducing imports, and supporting economic growth.
