The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector through strategic partnerships, investment promotion, and the development of sustainable value chains capable of creating jobs, enhancing food security, and driving economic growth.
Speaking during a meeting with an international delegation led by Safia Boly the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha. Mukhtar highlighted the enormous investment opportunities within Nigeria’s livestock industry and called for deeper collaboration in critical areas such as fodder production, and livestock breeding capacity building.
The Minister noted that, Nigeria possesses abundant natural resources that can support large-scale fodder cultivation, particularly in Kano State, which has numerous dams, including the Challawa and Bagauda Dams.
He explained that , the Ministry is exploring the possibility of dedicating some of these water resources exclusively to fodder production while addressing challenges associated with quality seed acquisition through partnerships with development organizations.
He emphasized that while the Ministry is learning from successful livestock development models in East Africa, particularly Kigali, Nigeria is determined to adapt global best practices to suit its local realities and maximize available opportunities.
The Minister pledged the Ministry’s readiness to participate in future engagements and encouraged early scheduling of meetings to ensure effective planning and sustained collaboration.
He also urged the delegation to reconsider supporting the forthcoming National Livestock Education and Business (NLEB) initiative, describing it as a cross-cutting programme that would significantly impact the livestock sector and provide partners with an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
Highlighting the growing confidence of both local and international investors in Nigeria’s livestock sector, the Minister revealed that the country is witnessing unprecedented investment interest.
He referenced recent investments in the dairy industry, including a $490 million dairy financing initiative supported through the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to him, another private investor is currently working with the Ministry to establish a 10,000-head cattle project on over 6,000 hectares of land, which will include a modern livestock training institution alongside commercial farming operations.
The Minister further disclosed that, several investors are expressing interest in dairy production, red meat development, and commercial fodder cultivation, while discussions are ongoing to position Nigeria as a major supplier of livestock products to Gulf countries.
He explained that Nigeria enjoys a significant geographical advantage, requiring only about five hours of flight time to Gulf markets compared to much longer transit times from competing livestock-exporting countries.
Combined with Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, affordable labour, and strong political support, these advantages have made the country an increasingly attractive destination for livestock investment.
The Honourable Minister also drew attention to Nigeria’s thriving hides and skins industry, noting that some tanneries in Kano process as many as 50,000 goat skins daily, with similar facilities operating in Sokoto and Maiduguri.
He directed relevant officials within the Ministry to commence the process of re-establishing a dedicated Hides and Skins Desk to coordinate activities and further strengthen the value chain.
He stressed that, organized collection, processing, and marketing of hides and skins could create thousands of jobs, particularly for young people, while improving incomes for rural communities.
Earlier, the Team Lead of the organization, Safia Boly, Senior Vice President(SVP) for Africa Heifer International, told the Minister that the purpose of their visit is to deepen strategic alignment, operationalize shared priorities and institutionalize a government led co-investment framework.
She also reaffirmed Heifer role as a technical Co investment partner in realizing Nigerian Livestock and developmental goal.
She also proposed policy alignment with the Ministry, Heifer innovation and challenges, thereby proposing a Co investment mechanism directly with Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director
PRESS and Public Relations.
29th July, 2026.
