Tinubu Unveils Plan to More Than Double Nigeria’s $32bn Livestock Economy
President Bola Tinubu has announced plans by the Federal Government to more than double the estimated $32 billion annual contribution of Nigeria’s livestock sector to the national economy.
The President said the move was part of efforts to transform Nigeria into a leading livestock production and processing hub in Africa while strengthening food security, creating jobs and attracting private-sector investment.
Tinubu disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while declaring open the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, themed, “Repositioning Animal Agriculture for Africa’s Agricultural Food Security and Global Competitiveness.”
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said his administration was determined to move livestock production beyond subsistence and traditional practices to a modern, technology-driven and commercially viable industry.
“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,” Tinubu said.
According to him, Nigeria currently has one of Africa’s largest livestock populations, comprising more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and about 660 million poultry birds.
He noted that the sector contributes over $32 billion annually to the Nigerian economy and remains critical to agricultural production, food security and rural development.
Tinubu said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 was a major policy decision by his administration to give the sector greater institutional attention.
He explained that the government had also approved reforms based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, with the objective of improving governance, productivity and animal health while promoting peaceful livestock production and encouraging private investment.
The President said the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy was being implemented to unlock the sector’s economic potential.
He said the strategy would prioritise increased productivity, stronger value chains, improved animal health services, commercial feed production, better livestock genetics and climate-smart production systems.
It would also promote ranching and modern livestock management practices as part of measures to reduce conflicts associated with traditional livestock production systems.
Tinubu added that the government was strengthening animal breeding, veterinary services, disease surveillance, feed production and animal health systems while encouraging investments in dairy, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure.
On employment, the President described livestock as a major source of opportunities for Nigeria’s growing youth population, given the wide range of activities across the value chain.
He listed animal production, feed manufacturing, veterinary services, transportation, processing, marketing, leather production, dairy businesses and exports among the areas capable of generating millions of jobs.
Tinubu further disclosed that the Federal Government was working to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products by significantly increasing local milk production.
He said the ongoing dairy transformation programme would focus on improved animal genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure and modern processing facilities.
According to him, stronger private-sector participation in the dairy industry would increase domestic milk production, improve rural incomes and strengthen national food security.
The President also called for greater continental cooperation among African countries, particularly in addressing animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and transboundary livestock movement.
He said Nigeria’s support for stronger regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area was driven by the enormous opportunities available in livestock and livestock products for intra-African trade, investment and industrialisation.
“No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation,” Tinubu said, urging African countries to improve regional standards, disease surveillance, research collaboration and value-chain integration.
He encouraged delegates to develop practical recommendations capable of advancing Africa’s livestock agenda and supporting the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Chinyere Akujobi, said the conference provided an important platform for African countries and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and develop innovative solutions for animal agriculture.
Akujobi said the Federal Government’s renewed focus on livestock development was aimed at strengthening food and nutrition security, creating economic opportunities and making the sector a major driver of sustainable growth.
She described the conference theme as timely, given Africa’s rapidly growing population, changing food systems, climate challenges and expanding markets.
She expressed optimism that the participation of policymakers, researchers, farmers, development partners, professional bodies and private-sector stakeholders would generate practical ideas capable of producing meaningful transformation in Africa’s livestock sector.
