President Bola Tinubu has set a new target to more than double Nigeria’s livestock economy to over $64 billion yearly.
The president announced the plan in Abuja while opening the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture.
He was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the five-day event.
Tinubu said the livestock sector currently contributes about $32 billion to Nigeria’s economy.
“Our national strategy aims to more than double the sector’s economic contributions to position Nigeria as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa,” he said.
The president said the plan would move livestock farming beyond small-scale production into a stronger commercial industry.
He said reforms would improve animal health, livestock genetics, feed production and value chains across the sector.
Tinubu also pointed to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a key part of the transformation plan.
“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development marked the beginning of a comprehensive national livestock transformation programme,” he added.
The government also plans to expand dairy production and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported milk.
“Our ongoing dairy transformation programme seeks to double local milk production through improved genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems, and stronger private sector participation,” Tinubu said.
The plan includes better animal breeds, pasture development, milk collection centres and modern dairy processing facilities.
Tinubu said the Nigeria livestock sector could also create millions of jobs for young Nigerians.
“Millions of jobs can be created for our growing youth population in Africa. The Nigerian government is committed to fully optimising the value chain,” he said.
He also called for more opportunities for women and young people through funding, technology and private-sector partnerships.
The president said livestock should become a wider business covering production, processing, transport, finance, technology and exports.
He urged African countries to work together on animal diseases, climate change, trade and livestock movement.
“The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation,” Tinubu added.
Mizeck Chagunda, interim president of the All African Society for Animal Production, backed stronger cooperation across the continent.
“It’s only by working together that we can endure and continue to strengthen the role of livestock in Africa,” he said.
The Nigeria livestock sector remains central to food production, jobs and wider agricultural growth.
The conference began on August 9 and will end on August 13 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
