The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science on Tuesday noted that the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu is in alignment with global best practices.
The president of the institute, Simeon Ohwofa, noted that Nigeria is currently at a point where livestock remains central to the quest for national security, economic resilience, employment generation and agricultural transformation.
He made this known during the 2025 induction of new members, associates and fellows of the Institute in Abuja.
In a bid to end decades of violent clashes between farmers and herders, President Tinubu announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development on July 9, 2024.
The creation of the ministry followed the report of the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms to address issues in the livestock sector, such as farmer-herder conflicts, and to boost productivity. A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, served as the co-chairman of the committee.
Ohwofa said, “We are guided by regulation and powered by the renewed national vision. We stand at a time when animal agriculture is central to our nature’s quest for national security, economic resilience, employment generation and agricultural transformation.
“With the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Nigeria has firmly aligned with global best practices in organising the livestock sector as a critical part of nature.
“The Nigeria Institute of Animal Science has previously worked very hard to align Nigeria’s livestock sector through the international community.”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said Nigeria is prioritising food security and global competitiveness, as well as transforming the country’s livestock industry.
Maiha said that to achieve the desired sector development and global competitiveness, the country must first transform its animal breeds while preserving their genetic heritage.
The minister said that, although challenges persist, Nigeria’s livestock industry has the potential to compete globally through collaborations, partnerships, and looking inward for creative solutions.
He also noted that Nigeria’s livestock sector, despite being considered a national asset valued at about N30 trillion, contributes less than three per cent to the national GDP.
He, therefore, challenged animal scientists and other stakeholders in the sector to use the opportunity to “ask the tough questions and come up with the right answer.”
It was reported that Maiha and former INEC boss, Jega, who is now the Special Adviser to the President on Livestock reform, were conferred with the honorary fellowship of the institute.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Transforming Nigeria’s Livestock Sector for Economic Growth and Global Competitiveness,’ the keynote speaker, Dr Tunde Amole, said efforts should focus on solutions to the sector’s challenges.
He noted that globally and across Africa, livestock accounts for about 40 percent of agricultural GDP, adding that investment in the sector in Nigeria remains low.
