The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, has reaffirmed its commitment to revolutionizing the country’s livestock sector with the unveiling of a collaborative plan to implement the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS).

In a landmark Expert Group Meeting held from July 21 at the African Development Bank Nigeria Country Office in Abuja, key actors from government, development agencies, CGIAR centers, private sector entities, and research institutions came together to co-create an actionable and cost-effective implementation framework for NL-GAS.

The goal? Transform Nigeria’s livestock industry into a $74 billion powerhouse by 2035, up from its current valuation of $32 billion—by expanding production, doubling the national herd, and improving resilience through climate-smart interventions.

A Sector of Strategic Importance

Speaking at the opening, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, emphasized the pivotal role of livestock in Nigeria’s food security, economic diversification, and rural development, while acknowledging the sector’s vulnerability to climate change.

“Livestock is both a major contributor to our national economy and a source of greenhouse gas emissions. Our mission is to strike a balance—driving productivity while adopting environmentally sustainable practices,” the Minister said.

He underscored that the NL-GAS, already approved by the National Economic Council (NEC), is anchored on ten core pillars, including:

• Livestock value chain development
• Animal health and genetics
• Feed and fodder innovation
• Infrastructure and investment
• Market expansion and trade access

From Strategy to Execution

While outlining the vision, the Minister noted that implementation is key. “A strategy, no matter how robust, is only as good as its execution. We must define the costs, identify funding sources, and establish a roadmap with clearly defined roles for government, donors, and the private sector,” he added.

The participatory format of the workshop allowed institutions to pitch real-life, high-impact interventions that align with the NL-GAS pillars.

“This is not just another talk shop,” said Maiha. “We are crafting a plan of action that attracts technical and financial support across the value chain—from genetics to market access.”

Driving Collaboration and Innovation

Dr. (Mrs.) Chinyere Akujobi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized that achieving sustainable livestock transformation requires synergistic partnerships and context-specific interventions at the federal and state levels.

She called on stakeholders to prioritize:

• Deployment of innovative feed processing technologies
• Strengthening of disease surveillance systems
• Support for climate-resilient livestock farming
• Expansion of extension services and export platforms

State governments, she said, will be the engine rooms for implementation and must be supported with tools, training, and tailored financing models to execute effectively.

Charting the Path Forward

The two-day meeting is expected to conclude with the adoption of a national roadmap for NL-GAS implementation—complete with institutional arrangements, monitoring and reporting systems, and resource mobilization strategies.

Participants were lauded for attending at personal cost, a testament to their commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s livestock industry on the global map.