Nigerian Institute of Animal Science Hails Creation of Ministry of Livestock Development as Step Towards Global Best Practices

The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a major step toward aligning Nigeria’s livestock sector with global best practices.

The institute’s President, Prof. Simeon Ohwofa, made the remarks on Tuesday during the 2025 induction ceremony for new members, associates, and fellows in Abuja. He noted that livestock production is now central to Nigeria’s national security, economic resilience, job creation, and agricultural transformation.

“We are guided by regulation and powered by the renewed national vision. Animal agriculture is at the heart of our nation’s pursuit of security, economic resilience, employment, and agricultural development,” Ohwofa said. He added that the creation of the ministry places Nigeria among countries that institutionalise livestock management as a core aspect of national planning.

President Tinubu announced the ministry on July 9, 2024, following recommendations from the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of Livestock Reforms, co-chaired by former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. The move is aimed at addressing decades of conflicts between farmers and herders and boosting the sector’s productivity.

At the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said the government is prioritising food security, global competitiveness, and the transformation of the livestock industry. He stressed the importance of improving animal breeds while preserving genetic heritage. “Nigeria’s livestock sector has the potential to compete globally through partnerships, collaborations, and innovative local solutions,” he said, noting that the sector, valued at about N30 trillion, currently contributes less than three per cent to GDP.

Both Maiha and Jega, who now serves as Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Reforms, were conferred honorary fellowships of NIAS. In his keynote address titled “Transforming Nigeria’s Livestock Sector for Economic Growth and Global Competitiveness”, Dr. Tunde Amole highlighted the need for practical solutions to industry challenges, pointing out that livestock contributes about 40 per cent to agricultural GDP globally, while investment in Nigeria remains disproportionately low.