In a strategic move to strengthen agricultural ties, Nigeria and Ireland are advancing a new partnership aimed at revolutionizing livestock development and boosting food security.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, officially welcomed the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Ryan, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on April 24, 2025. Their discussions focused on deepening collaboration across key areas such as livestock genetics, sustainable grazing systems, cooperative farming, and agricultural research and education.

Ambassador Ryan shared Ireland’s success story—transforming from a largely agrarian society into a global leader in technology and services while preserving farming as a central pillar of national identity. He highlighted the strength of Ireland’s over 130,000 family-owned farms, supported by a dynamic cooperative model and comprehensive advisory services.

“Our agricultural heritage remains the backbone of our economy,” Ambassador Ryan noted. “By investing in education, research, and cooperative systems, we have been able to triple our dairy production since 2015.” He proposed enhanced collaboration with Nigeria in livestock breeding, extension services, and capacity-building initiatives.

In response, Dr. Maiha expressed admiration for Ireland’s achievements and Nigeria’s eagerness to learn. “This is a season of transformation for Nigeria’s livestock industry,” he said. “We are keen to adopt innovative approaches in animal breeding, disease management, and technology-driven farming.”

One of the highlights of the meeting was an invitation for a Nigerian delegation to attend Ireland’s prestigious National Plowing Championship in September 2025 — a globally recognized agricultural event that hosts over 250,000 participants annually.

Both countries also explored long-term initiatives including student exchange programs in agricultural sciences and technical collaborations to strengthen Nigeria’s leading livestock research bodies—the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) and the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI).

Adding momentum to the partnership, it was announced that Professor Stephen Onakuse, a Nigerian expert based in Ireland specializing in livestock genetics and grazing system innovations, will visit Nigeria in May 2025. His visit, facilitated by the Irish Embassy, aims to establish technical alliances between Nigerian and Irish agricultural institutions.

As Nigeria continues to reposition its livestock sector for greater productivity and global competitiveness, partnerships like this mark a significant step forward in achieving sustainable livestock development, enhancing food security, and building a stronger agricultural economy.