This livestock reform must not fail

Two weeks after the National Council on Livestock Development (NCLD) summit in Yola, Adamawa State, the federal government’s bold move to overhaul Nigeria’s livestock sector is still reverberating across policy circles. But as the dust settles, it is time for the real work to begin. The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development must now move swiftly from policy pronouncements to practical implementation, with clear timelines and measurable outcomes. Without this, the lofty ambitions of reform risk becoming yet another missed opportunity.

At the heart of the summit, themed: “Livestock Rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope,” was a promise to transform the livestock industry into a commercially viable, conflict-resilient, and technologically driven enterprise. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, a seasoned livestock farmer and long-time advocate for reform in the sector, outlined a vision that includes modern ranching systems to gradually phase out open grazing, a full-scale expansion of the livestock value chain, and a transition to climate-resilient, high-yielding breeds.

This transformation, he said, would be guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), the National Livestock Master Plan and other laudable initiatives aim to transform the country’s livestock industry from a $32 billion to $74 billion industry within the next five years.

These are not new ideas. What Nigerians hope to see is the political will and institutional backing to achieve these lofty reforms. Central to this, according to Maiha is the rehabilitation of the country’s 417 grazing reserves into what he called “modern, secure and economically viable Renewed Hope Livestock Villages (RHLVs).” This is a crucial pillar of the entire reform without which other aspects may not be fully achieved.

For decades, Nigeria’s livestock sector has been trapped in a cycle of underinvestment, politicisation, and neglect. The pastoral Fulani, who form the backbone of the cattle economy, have often been at the centre of emotionally charged debates that ignore the economic potential of the sector. Instead of evidence-based policymaking, many Nigerians including those in government have based their decision around cattle breeding and rearing to emotions driven by stereotypes and suspicion. The pastoral Fulani may form the backbone of Nigeria’s cattle economy but the sector is in no way exclusive to them. In fact, the livestock sector generally goes beyond cattle rearing to include poultry, piggery and small ruminants such as goats and sheep. It is a big business with a large value chain and therefore a national economic asset. And like any business, it requires regulation, investment, and innovation to thrive.

This is why reforms that merge policy with practice in the livestock sector should be a lifelong dream of every Nigerian as it would not only forge a pathway to revolutionary agriculture but address some of the country’s security concerns and boost the country’s economy.

This idea of livestock resettlements whether in the form of ranching or villages, as Maiha calls it, or its past nomenclature of Ruga has for a long time been stalled due to emotions and stigma that has been tied to the livestock sector due to its link to pastoral Fulani herders. It is why initiatives like the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) and others before it stalled. But beyond infrastructure, Nigeria must invest in genetic transformation and improve the productivity of its cattle, small ruminants, pigs and poultry. Despite its large population, market and having one of Africa’s largest cattle population and cattle market in Africa, Nigeria lags behind in milk and beef production.

Therefore, to bridge this gap, the country must develop the entire livestock value chain from feed and fodder production to processing, transportation, marketing, and consumption. For instance, every part of the cattle, from horns to hooves, holds economic value. In countries like the Netherlands and Brazil, livestock is big business, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Nigeria must emulate such models.

State governments have a crucial role to play. They must collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and set aside political and ethnic biases. States in the South and North Central, in particular, must recognise the economic potential of the livestock sector. They should invest in ranches, breeding centres, artificial insemination services, feed mills, and leather processing factories. This is money waiting to be tapped and should not be limited to one ethnic group or a region of the country.

At Daily Trust, we support any initiative that seeks to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector. We urge all regions to invest according to their comparative advantages. The livestock sector is not limited to cattle and ranching is not synonymous with cattle but houses other animals, also. The Ministry must ensure that its policy aligns perfectly with practice and that each reform component is backed by a clear timeline and performance indicators.

We also call on state governments to seize the opportunities presented by this reform. By encouraging private investment and creating an enabling environment, they can boost productivity, generate employment, and enhance food security. The benefits of a thriving livestock sector are manifold. They can boost the rural economy, create employment, attract foreign investors, unlock technical expertise and innovation.

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