The Federal Government says the newly approved National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) 2025–2035 is projected to raise the livestock sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $32 billion to $74 billion within the next decade.
Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the Donor and Partnership Workshop on Livestock Development in Nigeria, themed “Strengthening Strategic Partnership for Livestock Transformation.”
Maiha described the NL-GAS as a comprehensive, market-driven, and private sector-led roadmap designed to accelerate growth, modernisation, and sustainability in the livestock industry.
“It is achievable and exciting. We are not scared; we can do it for this country,” the minister said, noting that strong political will and private sector commitment are key to the success of the government’s livestock transformation agenda.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu established the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024 to reposition the sector as a major driver of inclusive growth, food security, climate resilience, and economic transformation.
According to Maiha, the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030, with livestock projected to contribute $74 billion by 2035.
“To achieve this, we developed the NL-GAS 2025–2035, which has been approved by the National Economic Council to reinforce our commitment to private sector-led transformation,” he said.
The strategy is anchored on 10 strategic pillars addressing challenges across the value chain — including market access, animal health and disease control, feed and fodder development, water management, extension services, peacebuilding, finance and insurance, data systems, infrastructure, waste management, and youth and women empowerment.
Maiha emphasised that empowering women and youth is central to increasing livestock productivity, doubling the national herd, and positioning Nigeria as a global hub for high-quality animal protein.
In her remarks, Temitayo Omole, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said livestock remains a key area of EU partnership with Nigeria, particularly in feed production, genetics, and animal health.
She noted that the EU continues to collaborate with Nigerian institutions to strengthen rural livelihoods through initiatives such as vaccine production for Newcastle disease in poultry and PPR in ruminants.
Also speaking, Dr. Hussein Gadain, Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting government efforts through policy guidance, technical assistance, and disease control programmes.
Gadain explained that FAO has been working with rural communities to improve breeding, feed quality, and best practices in livestock management, stressing the sector’s vital role in employment generation, nutrition, and food security.
“The livestock sector provides essential protein through meat and milk, helping to combat malnutrition. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, FAO and its partners have continued to promote the One Health approach to control animal-borne diseases,” he added.
