Tinubu seeks concrete outcomes on ranching, livestock reforms at NEC conference

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu on Monday called for concrete and actionable outcomes from the National Economic Council (NEC) conference, expressing confidence that deliberations would advance ranching, livestock investment, and agricultural diversification across the country.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day NEC conference at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, the President linked reforms in the livestock sector to Nigeria’s broader security and economic challenges, describing banditry and terrorism as major obstacles to national development.

Tinubu said transforming the livestock industry through modern practices such as ranching would help address persistent conflicts and unlock economic opportunities.

“I am confident that the resolutions of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches, and diversification of our agricultural produce,” the President said. “I promise Nigeria that this will be delivered.”

He reiterated his personal commitment to ensuring the implementation of agreed reforms, stressing that the government must move beyond discussions to execution.

During Monday’s conference, the President also pledged renewed support for Nigeria’s security agencies, vowing to intensify efforts to defeat terrorism and banditry, which he said continue to threaten lives and livelihoods.

“Finding ways to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry is what has kept all of us sleepless at night,” Tinubu said. “But I assure you that we will succeed with determination and resilience.”

He described banditry and terrorism as alien to Nigeria’s values and warned that failure to address them swiftly would continue to undermine economic growth and national stability.