Botswana, Nigeria explore deeper collaboration in livestock development

The Federal Government has signalled a shift toward data driven and commercially focused reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector as it deepens engagement with Botswana, one of Africa’s most successful beef exporting nations.

Idi Mukhtar Maiha, minister of Livestock Development, said Nigeria is determined to replace outdated production systems with structured, evidence based policies that raise productivity, strengthen value chains and unlock sustainable incomes for millions of farmers.

Read also: FG, donors form unified livestock investment group to attract $2.5bn capital

Maiha stated this on Friday, in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Philda Nani Kereng, high commissioner, Republic of Botswana, describing Botswana’s livestock journey as a benchmark for long term sector transformation.

He said Nigeria’s scale as Africa’s largest market creates opportunities to build a globally competitive livestock industry while leveraging Botswana’s expertise in disease control, traceability and export standards.

Maiha disclosed that the Ministry is moving to rehabilitate and modernise 417 grazing reserves nationwide, converting them into organised ranching ecosystems that support improved genetics, animal health, processing efficiency and market access.

According to him, these reforms are designed to position livestock as a major contributor to GDP growth, rural employment and non oil exports.

Kereng said Botswana’s success in beef production and export, particularly to the European market, was driven by deliberate policy choices sustained over five decades. She explained that livestock development in Botswana was anchored on strong institutions, enforceable regulations and extensive farmer support, rather than short term interventions.

She noted that beef is Botswana’s second largest revenue earner after diamonds, supported by strict disease control systems, communal land management frameworks, targeted veterinary services and highly subsidised production inputs.

Kereng outlined concrete areas for bilateral cooperation, including improved cattle genetics, modern abattoir operations, disease surveillance and management, veterinary protocols, vaccine production, livestock traceability systems and sustainable grazing management.

Both sides agreed that deeper technical cooperation could accelerate Nigeria’s livestock reforms, expand export readiness and strengthen food security, while opening new commercial opportunities for private sector players across the livestock value chain.

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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