The Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Maiha, has called for increased investment and collaboration to transform Nigeria's livestock sector, citing its critical role in employment and agricultural output. Speaking at the National Stakeholders Roundtable on Transforming the Livestock Sector in Abuja on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Maiha emphasised that the sector supports millions of livelihoods and accounts for about 17 per cent of the nation's agricultural GDP. He noted it employs at least 30 per cent of the rural population and urged government, development partners, and private investors to strengthen joint efforts toward sustainable growth. Maiha welcomed international representatives, development organisations, ranchers, and media, acknowledging their contributions to ongoing reform initiatives.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted persistent challenges including low productivity, inadequate veterinary services, and poor feed systems. He credited the Federal Government with taking steps to revitalise the industry, particularly through the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development. Obegolu described the roundtable as the first private sector-led national effort aimed at driving dialogue, promoting investment, and building a roadmap for sector transformation. He stressed that modernising the livestock industry could reduce food imports, boost exports of red meat and dairy, and generate millions of jobs across farming, processing, and logistics. Policies supporting ranching, improved breeds, modern feed systems, and access to finance were identified as key to long-term growth.
The Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, and Jani Ibrahim, National President of NACCIMA, both affirmed the need for stronger public-private collaboration to unlock investment and strengthen value chains. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, also spoke, though details of his remarks were not provided.
When Idi Maiha says the livestock sector employs 30 per cent of rural Nigerians, he is pointing to an economic asset that has long operated in the shadows of policy neglect. The creation of a dedicated ministry signals a shift, but real transformation will depend on whether promised investments actually reach herders, ranchers, and small-scale processors. This isn't just about meat and milk production — it's about unlocking rural economies and reducing dependency on food imports. If the government treats this as more than symbolism, Nigeria's agricultural transformation could finally gain traction beyond crop farming.
