President Bola Tinubu pledges to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector, ensuring self-sufficiency and reducing dairy imports.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a significant address at the opening of a two-day consultative workshop on livestock reforms at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration will avoid the past mistakes of previous governments regarding livestock farming.

He emphasised the importance of self-sufficiency in dairy production, committing to reduce reliance on imports.

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The President’s promise came to light through a statement released by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, highlighting that past neglect of the livestock sector must not be repeated.

Tinubu outlined a comprehensive framework aimed at stimulating prosperity within the sector, vowing to revamp and reposition it to create jobs and attract foreign direct investment.

“The livestock sector is critical, and we will give all it needs to bring value to our country,” Tinubu stated. “A nation with over 200 million people should not struggle to provide one pint of milk per child in schools daily. It is time to do it right.”

The President called for a united effort to reinvigorate the livestock industry, which he believes holds significant economic potential.

“We did not see the investment opportunities before; now that we have recognised them, we must work together to restart the sector,” he added.

He praised the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, led by Co-Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and Secretary Prof. Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, for their commitment to improving the sector.

Tinubu’s vision includes transforming Nigeria’s livestock from a subsistence model into a commercialised industry that substantially contributes to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides sustainable livelihoods for its citizens.

Highlighting Nigeria’s status as the leading livestock producer in West Africa, the President cited impressive figures: 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 60 million sheep, and 16 million pigs.

However, he lamented the stark reality that the country’s annual production of animal-source foods, such as milk, meat, and eggs, falls short of national needs.

“Our annual production of milk stands at 0.7 billion litres, while meat production reaches 1.48 million tonnes,” Tinubu said. “These figures are inadequate, leading to troublingly low per capita consumption levels compared to global standards.”

He further expressed concern over the average milk yield from cow breeds managed by pastoralists, which is significantly lower than the global average. “We can do much better,” he stated, underscoring the urgent need for reform.

Tinubu noted that the long-standing neglect of the livestock sector has resulted in increased import bills, with dairy products alone costing the country between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion annually. “We can feed our children and contribute significantly to the economy,” he reiterated.

The President extended his gratitude to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for their support in animal farming reforms.

He also acknowledged the roles of various stakeholders, including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in driving the reform agenda forward.

Governor AbdulRazak, in response, assured the President of complete commitment from the states to ensure the success of the reform initiative.

He emphasised the need for each state to establish segments dedicated to livestock farming and extend the value chain to include meat and dairy production.

Kyari, expressing his appreciation for Tinubu’s leadership, confirmed his ministry’s commitment to realising the President’s vision of diversifying the economy and empowering more Nigerians through livestock reform.

As Nigeria seeks to transform its livestock sector, President Tinubu’s bold initiatives signal a renewed commitment to ensuring food security and boosting the nation’s economy.