Nigeria aims to significantly increase livestock sector's economic contribution
President Bola Tinubu announced Nigeria's goal to more than double the livestock sector's annual economic contribution, currently estimated at $32 billion. Speaking at the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, outlined plans to transform livestock production from a subsistence activity into a modern, technology-driven industry. He highlighted Nigeria's substantial livestock population, including over 58 million cattle and 660 million poultry species. The President noted that agriculture and food security are central to his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, leading to the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024. This ministry, along with institutional reforms based on recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, aims to strengthen governance, improve productivity, and promote private sector investment. The National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy is being implemented to enhance productivity, strengthen value chains, improve animal health, and promote climate-smart production systems. The government is also promoting ranching and modern production systems to reduce conflicts and is working to double local milk production through a dairy transformation program. Tinubu emphasized the livestock industry's potential for job creation for Nigeria's youth and called for greater continental cooperati
