Tinubu Vows to Revive Nigeria's Livestock Farming After Years of Neglect

Tinubu's Plan to Revitalize Livestock Farming

“It is about time that we do it right. A country of over 200 million people and...”

President Tinubu launches livestock reforms, backed by governors and ministers. Initiative aims to boost food security, economic growth, and empowerment.

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to revitalize Nigeria's livestock sector, acknowledging past neglect and dependence on dairy imports. At the opening of a two-day Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms in Abuja on October 25, he pledged a comprehensive framework to foster prosperity in the sector. This commitment demonstrates his dedication to addressing the challenges facing livestock farming, which has long been overlooked.

Tinubu's plan aims to transform the sector, driving job creation and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). By doing so, the livestock industry will become a vital component of Nigeria's economic growth. This renewed focus is expected to have a positive impact on the nation's economy, which has faced significant challenges in recent times.

Tinubu's administration has already made strides in economic reforms, infrastructure development, and social welfare. His government has implemented policies to promote economic stability, control inflation, and protect vulnerable populations. The president's commitment to livestock reform is another step towards achieving sustainable development and improving the lives of Nigerians.

Areas of focus for the livestock sector reform include:

Job Creation: Generating employment opportunities through livestock farming and related industries

Foreign Direct Investment: Attracting investment to boost the sector's growth and competitiveness

Economic Growth: Positioning the livestock industry as a critical component of Nigeria's economy

Comprehensive Framework: Developing a thorough plan to address the sector's challenges and foster prosperity

“The livestock sector is critical, and we will give all it needs to bring value to our country. Stakeholders, I assure you that you will not regret the collaboration and investment in this sector.

“It is about time that we do it right. A country of over 200 million people and cannot serve our children one pint of milk in a classroom per day? That is not right.

“We didn't see the investment opportunities. We didn't see the economy of livestock in the past. Now that we have seen it, we must work together to restart the sector,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, led by Co-Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega and Secretary Professor Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, for their tireless efforts in revitalizing Nigeria's livestock sector. The committee's dedication to addressing obstacles and unlocking new opportunities in the livestock-farming value chain has been recognized by the President.

Professor Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was appointed Co-Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms to drive agricultural productivity and growth. The President emphasized that the implementation of the reforms requires collective efforts from members of the committee, state governors, and all Nigerians.

The committee's objectives include:

Addressing Obstacles: Removing legal and institutional barriers to livestock farming development

Promoting Agricultural Productivity: Enhancing the livestock-farming value chain for farmers, herders, processors, and distributors

Economic Growth: Stimulating economic growth through livestock farming and related industries 

By praising the committee's efforts, President Tinubu demonstrates his commitment to revitalizing Nigeria's livestock sector and ensuring its contribution to the country's economic growth.

“Our annual production of animal-source foods, like milk at 0.7 billion litres, meat at 1.48 million Tonnes and eggs at 0.69 million metric Tonnes, falls far short of our needs. Our per capita consumption levels-8.7 litres of milk, 9 kg of meat, 3.5kg or 45 eggs per year-are troublingly low compared to global averages. These are 44 litres of milk, 19 kg of meat and between 160 and 180 eggs per year.

“What is more worrisome to me is the average milk yield by cow breeds managed by our pastoralists: it is a mere 0.5 to 1.5 litres per day, compared to a global average of 6.6 litres per day. We can do much better!

“The long-term neglect of the livestock sector has weighed heavily on the country's import bills, with milk and dairy products accounting for $1.2-1.5 billion.

“Yes, we can do it. We can bring prosperity to our people. We can feed our children. From grass, we can achieve grace. We can contribute so much to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provide decent jobs,” the President noted.

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, led by Co-Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega and Secretary Professor Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, for their tireless efforts in revitalizing Nigeria's livestock sector. The committee's dedication to addressing obstacles and unlocking new opportunities in the livestock-farming value chain has been recognized by the President.

President Bola Tinubu has extended his appreciation to the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), led by Kwara State Governor Abdurrahman Abdulrazaq, for their collaborative efforts in driving reforms in Nigeria's animal farming sector. This acknowledgment underscores the importance of a unified approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

The NGF has demonstrated its commitment to supporting President Tinubu's administration, as seen in their previous backing of his decision to end fuel subsidy payments. Governor Abdulrazaq has also expressed the forum's willingness to work with the President to alleviate the short-term impact of the subsidy removal.

This synergy between the federal government and state governors is crucial for advancing reforms in various sectors, including animal farming. By working together, they can tackle issues such as poverty, insecurity, and education, ultimately improving the lives of Nigerians.

“Your Excellency, Chairman of the NGF, Abdulrazaq, thank you for assuring C-of- Os and other instruments from other areas. I also know that the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, with the vast land in his domain in Niger State, will accommodate many investors.

“We didn't see the cold room investment. We didn't see that opportunity before now. But it is coming. We are going to give it all it takes.

“The opportunity is there; when I inaugurated the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, I didn't see the path clearly until they started working. Thank you, Prof Attahiru Jega,” the President stated.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed gratitude to key individuals for their contributions to the livestock sector reform initiative. Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was recognized for conceiving the concept of livestock sector reform, showcasing his commitment to driving positive change in Nigeria's agricultural landscape.

In addition to Ganduje's recognition, Tinubu also commended National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for their tireless efforts in bringing this vision to life. Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the reform initiative.

Notably, Ganduje's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the APC's stance on agricultural development. As the former Governor of Kano State, he brought valuable experience to the table, which has helped inform the party's policies on livestock reform.

The collaborative efforts of these individuals demonstrate the collective commitment to transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector and ensuring food security for its citizens.

“Your Excellency, Chairman of the NGF, Abdulrazaq, thank you for assuring C-of- Os and other instruments from other areas. I also know that the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, with the vast land in his domain in Niger State, will accommodate many investors.

“We didn't see the cold room investment. We didn't see that opportunity before now. But it is coming. We are going to give it all it takes.

“The opportunity is there; when I inaugurated the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, I didn't see the path clearly until they started working. Thank you, Prof Attahiru Jega,” the President stated.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed gratitude to key individuals for their contributions to the livestock sector reform initiative. Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was recognized for conceiving the concept of livestock sector reform, showcasing his commitment to driving positive change in Nigeria's agricultural landscape.

Ganduje's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the APC's stance on agricultural development. As the former Governor of Kano State, he brought valuable experience to the table, which has helped inform the party's policies on livestock reform.

In addition to Ganduje's recognition, Tinubu also commended National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for their tireless efforts in bringing this vision to life. Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the reform initiative.

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), has pledged full support from all subnational entities to ensure the success of the livestock reform initiative. This initiative is crucial for both food and national security. Abdulrazaq expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his leadership in spearheading the reform effort as head of the implementation committee.

As the Chairman of NGF, Abdulrazaq brings a wealth of experience to the table, having made significant strides in Kwara State as its governor since 2019. His achievements include renovating schools, rehabilitating roads, and providing subsidized healthcare for the poor and vulnerable.

Abdulrazaq emphasized that previous attempts at similar reforms were often relegated to files in state and local agriculture departments due to a lack of political commitment. However, with President Tinubu's leadership and the collective support of the NGF, Abdulrazaq is confident that this initiative will succeed.

Objectives of the Livestock Reform Initiative:

Enhance Food Security: Improve livestock production and availability to meet Nigeria's food needs

Boost National Security: Address security concerns related to livestock farming and herding

Promote Economic Growth: Support economic development through livestock farming and related industries

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has emphasized the importance of establishing dedicated segments for livestock farming in each state, as well as expanding the value chain to include meat and dairy production. This call to action is aimed at promoting economic diversification and empowering Nigerians.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has praised President Bola Tinubu's bold initiatives in transforming the livestock sector. Kyari commended the President's decisive action, visionary leadership, and strong dedication to driving positive change. He also reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Livestock Development to bring the President's vision to life.

Kyari's appointment as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security is seen as a strategic move to drive President Tinubu's food security plan. The renaming of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security underscores the government's commitment to prioritizing food security.

The Governor's appeal for dedicated livestock segments and expanded value chains aligns with President Tinubu's multifaceted strategy to address food security. This includes declaring a state of emergency on food security and implementing immediate, medium, and long-term plans to revamp the agricultural sector.