President Tinubu vows to revamp livestock sector, address dairy shortages

…President calls neglect of livestock farming a “costly mistake”

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to overhaul Nigeria’s livestock sector, vowing to avoid past mistakes of neglect and reduce reliance on dairy imports.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms in Abuja on October 24, 2024, Tinubu emphasized the sector’s key role in job creation, reducing food insecurity, and boosting the economy.

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the President outlined plans to modernize the livestock industry from a subsistence model to a commercialized sector.

He reassured stakeholders of the government’s full support, noting that Nigeria’s potential for livestock farming has been overlooked for too long.

“The livestock sector is critical, and we will provide everything necessary to bring value to our country. Stakeholders, I assure you that you will not regret your collaboration and investment in this sector,” Tinubu said.

“It is time to do it right. A country of over 200 million people cannot provide one pint of milk per child in schools daily? That’s unacceptable.

“We failed to see the investment opportunities in livestock farming before, but now that we do, we must work together to restart the sector.”

President Tinubu commended the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, led by Co-Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and Secretary Prof. Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, for their efforts to reposition the livestock sector.

“Our mission is clear: we aim to transform the livestock sector into a thriving, commercialized industry that contributes significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and provides jobs and sustainable livelihoods for our population.

“The potential is immense. Nigeria is the leading livestock producer in West Africa, with 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 60 million sheep, and 16 million pigs. Yet, despite these resources, we face stark realities.

“Our annual production of animal-source foods—milk at 0.7 billion liters, meat at 1.48 million tonnes, and eggs at 0.69 million metric tonnes—falls far short of our needs. Per capita consumption levels of 8.7 liters of milk, 9 kg of meat, and 45 eggs annually are alarmingly low compared to global averages of 44 liters of milk, 19 kg of meat, and 160-180 eggs per year.

“What concerns me most is the average milk yield of our cows, managed by pastoralists, which is only 0.5 to 1.5 liters per day, compared to a global average of 6.6 liters. We can and must do better.

“The long-term neglect of the livestock sector has significantly impacted our import bills, with milk and dairy products accounting for $1.2-$1.5 billion annually.”

Tinubu expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to succeed in this area. “We can bring prosperity to our people, feed our children, and contribute substantially to the GDP while creating decent jobs,” he noted.

The President also thanked the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), chaired by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for supporting the livestock reform initiative.

“Your Excellency, Governor Abdulrazaq, thank you for providing Certificates of Occupancy and other instruments. I also commend the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, for offering vast lands in Niger State to accommodate investors.”

Tinubu acknowledged the importance of cold chain investments, saying, “We didn’t recognize the opportunity for cold room investments before, but it’s now on our radar, and we are committed to making it happen.”

He also praised Prof. Jega for his leadership on the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, stating, “I didn’t see the full path clearly until the committee began its work. Thank you, Prof. Jega.”

The President further recognized the contributions of Abdullahi Ganduje, APC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, and Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, for their roles in the livestock reform initiative.

“We can create a future filled with economic opportunities for our children. Together, we will achieve this vision,” Tinubu declared.

Governor Abdulrazaq assured the “100 percent commitment of the subnational governments to make this reform a success,” emphasizing that it is not just about food security but also national security.

He expressed regret that past efforts had stalled due to a lack of political will but assured that each state would now prioritize livestock farming and extend the value chain to meat and dairy production.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, thanked President Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to livestock reform, promising to work closely with the Ministry of Livestock Development to achieve the President’s vision of diversifying the economy and empowering more Nigerians.