Abayomi Susan
The Federal Government has renewed efforts to attract strategic partnerships and investments aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s livestock potential through increased fodder production and the development of a stronger value chain across the sector.
Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with an international delegation led by Safia Boly, Senior Vice President for Africa at Heifer International.
Maiha said Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, including major water facilities such as the Challawa and Bagauda dams in Kano State, provide opportunities for large-scale fodder cultivation.
He revealed that the ministry was considering dedicating some of these water resources specifically to fodder production as part of efforts to address feed shortages and improve livestock productivity.
The minister added that the government was working with development partners to resolve challenges surrounding access to quality seeds while studying successful livestock development models in East Africa, particularly Kigali, for possible adaptation to Nigeria’s agricultural environment.
Maiha also urged Heifer International to support the proposed National Livestock Education and Business (NLEB) initiative, describing it as a strategic programme capable of creating a lasting impact on Nigeria’s livestock transformation agenda.
He noted that investor confidence in the sector was increasing, citing a $490 million dairy financing initiative supported by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
The minister further disclosed that a private investor was collaborating with the ministry on the establishment of a 10,000-head cattle project spread across more than 6,000 hectares of land. The project, he said, would combine commercial livestock production with a specialised training institution.
According to him, the government is also exploring opportunities to position Nigeria as a major exporter of livestock products to Gulf countries, leveraging the country’s strategic location, natural resources, affordable labour force and supportive investment environment.
Highlighting the potential of the hides and skins sector, Maiha said tanneries in Kano currently process up to 50,000 goat skins daily, with similar activities taking place in Sokoto and Maiduguri.
He directed ministry officials to begin the revival of a dedicated Hides and Skins Desk to strengthen the sector, stressing that improved collection and processing of hides and skins could generate thousands of employment opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians.
Earlier, Boly said Heifer International’s delegation was in Nigeria to deepen collaboration with the government and establish a co-investment framework that would support the country’s livestock development goals.
She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment as a technical co-investment partner and proposed stronger policy alignment and direct investment collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development.
