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President Bola Tinubu has pledged that his administration will avoid the mistakes of past governments in neglecting livestock farming, emphasizing that Nigeria must reduce its reliance on dairy imports.
Speaking on Thursday at the opening of a two-day Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu outlined a plan to overhaul the sector and make it a key driver of economic growth.
According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu stressed the importance of developing a robust framework to stimulate prosperity in the livestock industry.
He assured stakeholders that his government would reposition the sector to create jobs, attract foreign investment, and significantly boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The livestock sector is critical, and we will give it all it needs to bring value to our country. Stakeholders, I assure you that your collaboration and investment in this sector will yield results. A country of over 200 million people should not be unable to provide one pint of milk per child in school per day. It’s time we did it right,” Tinubu said.
He acknowledged that past administrations failed to recognize the economic opportunities in livestock farming. “We didn’t see the potential, but now we do. We must work together to restart the sector,” he added.
President Tinubu commended the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, led by Prof. Attahiru Jega and Prof. Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, for their dedication to transforming the industry.
He underscored the need to shift from subsistence-level livestock farming to a commercialized, thriving industry that contributes to national development.
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Despite Nigeria’s position as West Africa’s leading livestock producer—with 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, and millions of goats, sheep, and pigs—Tinubu lamented the country’s insufficient production of animal-source foods like milk, meat, and eggs.
He noted that Nigeria’s per capita consumption of these products falls significantly below global averages.
“The average milk yield of our pastoralists’ cows is a mere 0.5 to 1.5 litres per day, compared to the global average of 6.6 litres. This is a glaring shortfall we must address,” the President remarked.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s long-standing neglect of the livestock sector has led to high import bills, with milk and dairy products alone costing the country $1.2–1.5 billion annually.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the reforms would bring prosperity, provide decent jobs, and improve food security.
Tinubu also thanked key partners, including the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) chaired by Kwara State Governor Abdurrahman Abdulrazaq, for their support in advancing the livestock reforms.
He acknowledged the roles of APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in driving the initiative forward.
The NGF Chairman assured the President of full support from state governments, noting that the reforms are essential not only for food security but also for national security.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, also praised Tinubu for his leadership and vowed to work with the Ministry of Livestock Development to bring the President’s vision to life.
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