The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has introduced a bold new National Livestock Master Plan (NLMP) aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s livestock sector as a central driver of food security, rural prosperity, and economic transformation.

The plan, jointly developed with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), was officially presented to the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, alongside the National Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Dr. Sanusi Abubakar.

Senior ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, attended the event, along with ILRI’s technical team led by Dr. Dolapo Enahoro and Dr. Sirak Bahta.

A Roadmap for Livestock Transformation

Minister Maiha hailed the NLMP as “a blueprint for transformation”, stressing its role in unlocking the full potential of a sector that contributes:

• 17% of Nigeria’s agricultural GDP
• 5% of the national GDP
• and sustains millions of households across the country

For decades, challenges such as low productivity, frequent animal disease outbreaks, weak infrastructure, and limited market access have stifled the sector’s growth. The new plan seeks to overcome these barriers with a five-year investment roadmap that targets:
✅ Job creation
✅ Poverty reduction
✅ Improved food and nutrition security
✅ Inclusive rural development

Learning from Regional Success

The Minister cited Tanzania’s Livestock Master Plan (2018)—also developed with ILRI—which mobilised over $624 million in research investment and significantly increased private sector engagement.

“Nigeria now has a tested roadmap to attract funding, mobilise partnerships, and implement evidence-based policies across priority value chains,” he said.

Key Focus Areas of the NLMP

According to ILRI’s Dr. Sirak Bahta, the NLMP was designed after two years of research, policy reviews, and consultations with stakeholders, aligning with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS).

The plan focuses on the following value chains:

• Cattle 🐂
• Poultry 🐓
• Small ruminants 🐑
• Pigs 🐖
• Feed systems 🌱

Strategic Priorities

• Feed & Pasture Development → Expanding fodder cultivation, grazing reserves, and modern feedlots to boost productivity by up to 40%
• Genetics & Breeding → Scaling up community breeding programs while conserving indigenous livestock species
• Animal Health → Expanding vaccination coverage to 75% and training community animal health workers, reducing mortality by 65%
• Market Access → Expanding infrastructure to link producers with abattoirs, processors, and export markets
• Gender Inclusion → Promoting financing and technology access for women in dairy, poultry, and small ruminant sectors

Looking Ahead

The NLMP projects that without urgent action, Nigeria’s demand for meat, milk, and eggs will far exceed domestic supply, worsening reliance on imports. With targeted investments, however, the country could achieve self-sufficiency and position itself as a regional livestock powerhouse.

Dr. Bahta concluded:

“The NLMP is not just about technical interventions. It is about creating an enabling environment where policies, investments, and innovations align to drive lasting change.”

With this plan, Nigeria signals a renewed commitment to livestock modernization, sustainable food systems, and rural economic resilience.