The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is ramping up efforts to unlock the economic potential of underutilized livestock byproducts—such as bones, hides, and horns—in a bid to boost job creation and revenue.
Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja organized by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Minister Idi Maiha announced that the livestock sector is poised to create over 500,000 jobs by 2027, which would significantly reduce unemployment and energize rural economies.
Maiha explained that with proper processing, these byproducts could generate an additional N23 billion in revenue and create 700,000 jobs. He warned that if fully harnessed, increased profits for farmers could eventually lead to a sharp decline in meat prices.
Recognizing the importance of accurate data for driving policy reforms, he noted that the ministry is leveraging modern technology to conduct a comprehensive livestock census—an urgent measure since the last official count was carried out in 1991. A new national livestock identification and tracking system has been launched to monitor animal populations, prevent theft, and improve disease management.
Addressing additional challenges, Maiha pointed out that Nigeria currently imports $1.5 billion worth of vaccines annually. However, plans are underway to commercialize the National Veterinary Research Institute to boost domestic production to at least 1.2 billion vaccine doses per year. He highlighted that while the livestock sector currently contributes around 5% to Nigeria’s GDP, the ministry’s ambitious goal is to double this contribution through policy reforms, investments, and enhanced production. Among the strategies proposed are increasing milk yields from 2 liters per cow per day to at least 30 liters and improving beef cattle growth rates to achieve market weight within two and a half years.
The federal government’s vision is to raise the livestock sector’s contribution to GDP from $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035, positioning Nigeria as a major player in both domestic and global animal protein markets alongside top producers such as Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. In pursuit of this goal, the ministry has been actively engaging with traditional rulers, development partners, and foreign embassies to raise awareness and attract investment.
Furthermore, Minister Maiha announced plans to establish a gene bank designed to preserve the genetic makeup of Nigeria’s indigenous livestock breeds, which are naturally disease-resistant. “We intend to integrate our indigenous breeds into modern livestock production systems and conduct crossbreeding so that those elements of indigenous genetics are preserved for national growth,” he said. This initiative is seen as critical to maintaining Nigeria’s unique livestock heritage, rather than replacing it.
With the largest livestock population in Africa, a rapidly expanding market for meat and dairy products, and a strategic location for agricultural exports, Nigeria has tremendous potential. However, poor infrastructure, insufficient investment, outdated production methods, and ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders have so far limited the sector’s growth.
President Bola Tinubu established the ministry to drive a new era of transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth. “For the past few months, we have laid the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth. Our goal is for Nigeria’s livestock sector to become a major contributor to GDP—rising from the current 5% to 10% by 2030 and creating millions of jobs,” Maiha asserted.
The ultimate aim is not only to meet domestic demand for meat, dairy, and other animal products but also to position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global market.
