FG trains first cohort of livestock data officers to boost national data base

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has launched a two-day hands-on workshop for the first group of Livestock Data Collection Officers from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The workshop is aimed at standardising livestock reporting and strengthening Nigeria’s data pipeline.

The training, which began on Thursday, 4th December 2025 in Abuja, forms part of the ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to move the livestock sector from planning to full operational readiness.

Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, permanent secretary of the ministry, represented by Joseph Ako, director of Livestock Extension Services, said the initiative reflects a nationwide commitment to placing accurate and verifiable data at the heart of policy and sector transformation.

He noted that decades of outdated estimates and inconsistent figures have hindered effective responses to production gaps, disease burdens, and market trends.

“In an era of evidence-based decision-making, data is our most essential resource,” Ako said. “The success of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy depends on the quality of data we generate.”

The Permanent Secretary highlighted that the participants, trained under a “training-of-trainers” model, will cascade skills to state and local officers.

The workshop will also harmonise data collection tools, strengthen reporting across value chains, and prepare the sector for digital dashboards and real-time decision-making.

The Ministry said it is seeking to close historical data gaps, including the absence of updated livestock population figures since the 1992 census, by building a unified national livestock database.

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC

Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications

She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet.

An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.

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