Reforms in the Nigerian Livestock Sector: Unlocking Great Potentials for Economic Growth and Peaceful Co-existence
By Prof Attahiru Jega, OFR
Agriculture, holistically, is universally recognized as a pillar of national
Economies, if properly positioned and its vast potentials in all ramifications
is appropriately tapped. In Nigeria, at independence, Agriculture was indeed
a major pillar of our national economy. Then we got blinded by revenues
from petroleum resources and allowed Agriculture to slide to the back
banner of our national economy. Now, Agriculture in general, and the
livestock sector in particular, can still be a major pillar of Nigeria’s national
economy, if only we can refocus and reprioritize, and reposition them
appropriately. Nigeria has abundant land and water resources, covering
923,767 km², of which over 708,000 km² is dedicated to agriculture.
Indeed, Nigeria possesses a vast agricultural landscape; however, its
livestock sector is relatively still underdeveloped. Traditional livestock
practices in Nigeria, are characterized by slow-maturing local species of
poultry and cattle; and are subsistence in nature, which results in low
productivity when compared to foreign breeds, leading to comparably
significant production gaps. For instance, local poultry in Nigeria takes over a
year to mature and lay only about 40 eggs annually, while exotic poultry
breeds can produce over 300 eggs in the same period.
Similarly, local cattle average around 250kg, while exotic breeds can weigh
between 800–1000kgat the same age. These disparities underscore the urgent need
fortransformative reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector to enhance productivity,
reduce poverty, generate wealth, and bolster both domestic and
international trade through import substitution.
It cannot be overemphasized that, the livestock sector holds vast potential
to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and promote
sustainable development throughout Nigeria. However, significant challenges
persist, and addressing them strategically and systematically, is the best, if
not only way, to pave the way for a prosperous and peaceful future.
In this presentation we will examine how comprehensive reforms, backed by
innovation, collaboration, and robust policies, can unlock the massive
potential in the Nigerian livestock sector, while fostering peaceful
coexistence among diverse communities.
These reforms are not only critical for the advancement of the sector but also
for ensuring long-term stability and prosperity for our nation. Despite being a
multibillion-dollar industry with immense growth potential, Nigeria’s livestock subsector
has yet to reach its full capacity due to persistent constraints and years of
underinvestment. To fully realize this potential, it is crucial to tackle these
challenges across the value chain and prioritize the development of the
livestock sector.
1.1 Prospects of Reforms in the livestock sector to drive economic
regeneration and conflict mitigation in Nigeria
In is worthy of note that the Nigerian livestock sub-sector is one of the
largest in Africa, rich in biodiversity and crucial to the livelihoods of millions.
Approximately 42% of the population owns livestock, which provides both
food and income for rural and urban communities, contributing about 9% to
the country’s agricultural GDP (FAO, 2019). The sector is primarily driven by
extensive, non-commercial pastoral systems, though the poultry industry
stands out as the most commercially oriented, with 21% of poultry raised
under intensive systems, compared to just 1% of cattle. Commercialization
is vital for achieving self-sufficiency in animal-sourced food production, for
national food and nutrition security. Given Nigeria’s large population, the
demand for livestock products—such as poultry, beef, and milk—is expected
to surge by 253%, 117%, and 577%, respectively, by 2050, compared to
2015 levels (FAO GPS, 2018). These growing demands present significant
opportunities, but they also require radical transformation in the livestock
sub-sector to meet these requirements. Without such changes, Nigeria risks
falling behind as global competition seizes the opportunity.
There are many challenges associated with the Nigerian livestock sector, but
there are seven (7) major ones, which can be itemized as follows:
i. Low productivity and efficiency of local breeds
ii. Inadequate infrastructure and services
iii. Conflicts between herders and farmers
iv. Limited access to markets
v. Limited access to finance
vi. Constraints in pasture, fodder and feeds production; and
vii. Inadequacy and ineffectiveness of vaccines and drugs for disease
control.
There is the need to recognize and all the challenges, which have constrained and underdeveloped
The Nigerian livestock sector, especially these seven, and to as quickly as
possible begin to unlock the vast potential of the sector for value addition to
engender national economic growth and stable and sustainable
socioeconomic development. Hence, he created the Presidential Livestock
Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC), which he chairs, and
appointed my humble self as the co-chair, and 23 other experienced
professionals and experts as members.
The Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee is charged to
become the catalyst for Livestock development in Nigeria, and to help jump
start and unlock the value chains, the opportunities, and possibilities of a
prosperous sector. The Committee is to do this by leveraging evidence-based
research, drawing lessons from comparative global experiences, innovations,
and engagement with critical stakeholders. Additionally, Nigerian citizens
across the country also need to be sensitized and mobilized to appreciate
that livestock is not just about cattle alone, with the negative image of
farmers-herders conflicts; rather it is about both large and small ruminants,
poultry; fresh water fisheries, piggery, and so on, each of which has value
chains that creates wealth, employment, production and processing
enterprises, and contribute to national economic growth.
Implementation Strategies and Partnerships
a. Since July 2024, when the Committee was inaugurated by Mr.
President, it has been busy trying to actualize Mr. President’s vision for
a reformed livestock sector, and has made significant progress, in this
regard, as illustrated by the following milestones:
➢ Submission of the Inception Report to Mr. President in
October 2024. The Inception Report addressed 22 broad
objectives derived from 16 TORs; recommended 120
operational activities and generated over 3,000 Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs) for determination of success
of the reform initiatives.
➢ Organization of a national stakeholders’ engagement, major
workshop at the Banquet Hall, in the villa, between
October 24 -25; which was declared open by Mr. President
➢ Engagement with sub-nationals, as the key and most
critical of the stakeholders, whose collaboration and
partnership with the federal government is necessary in
the implementation of the reform initiatives.
So far the Committee has honoured invitations and had had fruitful
engagements with the Northern Governors Forum (and
leading traditional rulers); Bauchi state government and
stakeholders; and Plateau state government and
stakeholders. After leaving Borno state, next week, we
have a scheduled engagement with the government and
stakeholders in Osun state. Others we are discussing
scheduling visits to soon, thereafter, are Kwara and Niger
states. We will endeavour to go for engagement and
sensitization and exploration of partnership and
collaboration wherever we are invited.
It is worthy of note that many states have since established ministries of
livestock development, or announced readiness to do so, a positive
development that would ensure synergy, collaboration, and close working
relationship with the federal government. It is the Committee’s
recommendation that all states should establish such MDAs that would make
them in sync with the federal government to facilitate and catalyze livestock
development.
It is, also, additionally, worthy of note that the livestock reform initiatives
being driven by Mr. President, have already been attracting key international
trading partners to invest into the sector. For example, JBS S.A. a global
leader in meat processing and export has announced readiness to invest
$2.5 billion in the sector signed a letter of intent with the FG. Saudi Arabia,
has made some commitments, and USA and China have expressed interest
or have given indication of willingness to invest.
Given all these, the Committee will continue to use every opportunity to
bring critical issues in livestock development to the national spotlight, and to
pursue continuous engagement with key stakeholders, across all the value
chains.
1.3 Economic Prospects of Livestock Sector Reforms
i. Increased productivity and efficiency
ii. Improved livestock production and processing
iii. Enhanced market access and competitiveness
iv. Job creation and income generation
1.4 Key Reforms for Economic Regeneration
i. Improving livestock production and processing infrastructure
ii. Enhancing market access and competitiveness
iii. Promoting sustainable land use practices
iv. Strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms
v. Improving access to finance and services
vi. Promoting Value Re-orientation,
vii. Delivery of Basic social amenities particularly Education, health
care, water etc.
viii. Breed improvement and genetic resources management
1.5 Conflict Mitigation through Livestock Sector Reforms
i. Addressing competition for resources
ii. Promoting peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers
iii. Encouraging sustainable land use and climate smart livestock
practices
iv. Strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms
State governments have significant and key roles to play in
strengthening mechanisms for conflict mitigation and resolution at all
levels, through promotion of positive communication, delivery of
humanitarian assistance and provision of security. The role of
traditional rulers would need to be conceptualized to enable them to
play greater and more effective roles in this regard.
- STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE
(i) Tackle livestock value chain challenges with a location specific approach
It is essential to prioritize and address the unique challenges faced by
different regions. For instance, while improving productivity across the
livestock value chain is a national priority, regions with low animal
output and market access may benefit more from first addressing
market-related issues rather than focusing on productivity.
(ii) Expand successful practices and models
Many effective practices are currently implemented on a small scale
and should be expanded. For example, the development of improved
animal breeds suited to various regions should be prioritized, especially
for poultry adapted to specific agro-ecologies. Small and medium-scale
dairy producers must embrace innovation and growth to still be
competitive. Evidence indicates that startups and smaller dairy
producers can thrive, as demonstrated by small and medium-sized
dairy companies driving the $1.1 billion growth in the US dairy sector
between 2015 and 2018 (Adams et al., 2019b).
(iii) Adopt diverse and integrated strategies
A multifaceted approach may be more effective in enhancing livestock
value chains. It is crucial to evaluate what works best for different
producer categories and end-users, tailoring solutions accordingly.
Additionally, building the ability of smallholder farmers is necessary to
help them fully capitalize on the opportunities offered by value chain
development.
(iv) Strengthen commitment to animal agriculture research with
a long-term focus.
Research should not be solely focused on quick, short-term solutions
but should also prioritize sustainable models that foster long-term
growth. The animal agriculture sector requires research that is
responsive to the evolving needs of consumers and end-users.
(v) Develop more practical research-business strategies for
the sub-sector, especially in vaccine production
The livestock sector needs strategies that bridge research and
business, particularly in areas like vaccine development, to ensure
greater industry resilience and sustainability.
(vi) Establish appropriate regulations with a focus on animal
welfare
It is essential to implement clear regulations that prioritize animal
welfare, as outlined in initial reports, to ensure ethical and sustainable
practices within the sector.
(vii) Enhance security within the sub-sector through technology
and regulations.
Security concerns in the livestock industry must be addressed with the help
of advanced technologies and well-structured regulations, such as those
proposed by the National Animal Identification and Traceability System
(NAITS). Operationalization of the National Animal Identification and
Traceability System and linked with NIN of livestock owners
(viii) Technology driven Livestock extension and Insurance
Artificial Insemination, especially generative models like large language
models (LLMs), is increasingly supporting livestock reforms in Nigeria by
aiding extension personnel and producers with vital information on
management, disease control, and sustainability. While these tools offer
efficiency and scalability, their advice can be inaccurate for specific contexts,
necessitating validation from local experts. AI’s conversational capabilities
make it accessible for real-time problem-solving, but its integration with local
knowledge is still crucial for effective livestock reforms. Despite the promise
of these advancements, AI’s role in Nigerian livestock Extension is still
evolving, requiring careful integration with local knowledge systems to
achieve the desired impact. Livestock insurance is a tool that brings stability
to farming. Assurance of compensation for loss of Livestock investment due
to untoward events is important in encouraging people to invest in Livestock
activities.
(ix) Strengthening Database infrastructure
Establish Animal Agricultural Innovation Fund to fund entrepreneurs/
inventors to commercialize their products and move them from
prototypes/research shelves to product development and market
- The PLRIC Is targeting the delivery of a well-reformed livestock
sector that continues to deliver value to ALL Nigerians on a
sustainable basis
i. Foundation for success of the newly Created of Federal Ministry
for Livestock Development
ii. Development of Swine and Micro-Livestock value chains
iii. Re-demarcation, gazetting and development of grazing reserves
with provision of requisite infrastructure and facilities
iv. Development of Settlement Schemes for migratory herders
v. Re-demarcation and protection of migratory routes and
frameworks for the coordination of livestock migration
vi. Genetic improvement and recovery of near extinct indigenous
species
vii. Popularization and diffusion of technologies along the value chain
I am reliably informed and pleased to highlight that the Borno Livestock
Master Plan is being developed in alignment with Governor Zulum’s 25-year
master plan, as well as the PLRIC Inception Report submitted to Mr.
President and other key National Livestock Development documents. We are
committed to offering further guidance and support in ensuring the
successful implementation of these developmental initiatives to foster the
diversification of its economy and the wellbeing of its citizens.
It is highly commendable and encouraging that Borno State has shown
leadership and commitment to Livestock development, based on what we
have seen at today’s event. It is gratifying that the state is ahead with the
launching of Annual Animal Vaccination Scheme and distribution of livestock
for livelihood restoration and economic empowerment of the citizens.
It is commendable that the state has both the Ministry of Livestock and
Fisheries Development and Borno State Livestock Management
Agency (BOLMA).
The ministry focuses on policy formulation and commercial livestock
development efforts. It also addresses critical areas such as grazing reserves
development, and farmer-herder conflicts resolution platforms.
BOLMA, on the other hand, is saddled with capacity building, extension
services, livestock breed improvement, small-holder pasture development,
developing guidelines and standards, in line with global best practices, and
general facilitation of investments in the livestock sector.
There is a need for Borno State to integrate its efforts with that of the
National Animal Identification and Traceability Systems (NAITS) to boost
national data.
CONCLUSION
As we move towards realizing the potential of livestock reforms in Nigeria, it
is clear that innovation from livestock producers will be key in capturing new
market opportunities. Both short-term tactical actions and long-term
strategic commitments from all stakeholders are essential to drive success.
Business as usual is no longer viable, the government’s push for gradual
sedentary and commercial livestock production marks a critical step forward.
For these reforms to succeed, they must have the full support of
stakeholders at both national and subnational levels. This collective effort is
the challenge we must address effectively, so to create meaningful, lasting
change in the sector.
Borno State has long been a trailblazer in livestock development. It is home
to the renowned Allegarno Ranch, one of the first ranches in Nigeria, along
with other notable ranches like Gambole and Dalori. Additionally, the state
boasts Livestock Breeding and Research Centres at Muna, as well as the
Poultry Production Unit (PPU) along Dikwa Road. To maintain our leadership,
it is crucial to focus on the genetic conservation of our indigenous animal
breeds, such as the Wadara (Shua Arab), which is known for its exceptional
dairy potential and the Ambala and Kuri beef cattle breeds. The esteemed
Balami breed also deserves attention and preservation. PLRIC is ready to
provide the framework for implementing these efforts to ensure the
sustainable development of Borno’s livestock sector.
Even more specifically, state governments, in partnership with the federal
government must pay attention to the following:
- Productivity enhancement, through breed improvement, both for meat
and dairy value chains. - Investment in training livestock extension workers and sensitization of
pastoralists and small-scale operators, on good practices. - Invest in training a new crop of range management personnel, who
are currently becoming extinct in Nigeria. - Identification of grazing as well as forest reserves and gazetting of
ungazetted grazing reserves. - Utilizing some of the grazing reserves, with adequate infrastructure
and facilities, to encourage ‘sedentarization’ and resettlement of
pastoralists, or at least minimize long distance seasonal migration, with
all the attendant/associated conflicts. - Provide some of the land from grazing reserves and/or forest reserves
for commercial production of pasture and crops for feeds (maize,
soybeans, etc.). - Invest appropriately in equipment and technology for appropriate land
clearing and de-stoning, to help de-risk investments by both local and
foreign investors. - Invest appropriately in vaccine production/acquisition and periodic
vaccination against major risk diseases. - Review archaic statutes/legislations and make new ones to make
environmental business and investment friendly, as well as ensure
proper compliance with standards and best practices
On a final note, Your Excellency, I wish to reiterate that the Committee
remains ready and available for partnership with states to accelerate the
tempo and success of the livestock reforms. We can do this especially with
regards to capacity building, research, data gathering, data storage and
analysis, as well as help to attract investments to states in their areas of
comparative advantage. The Committee should soon finalize recommended
packages of incentives that can galvanize, smoothen and strengthen the
collaboration and partnership between the states of the federal government.
All hands need to, must, be on deck to ensure the success of the livestock
development reforms, as for national progress and development, it is a task
that must be done.