The Federal Government has set an ambitious target to more than double the economic contribution of Nigeria’s livestock industry, projecting that the livestock sector GDP will rise from its current estimate of about $32 billion to over $74 billion within the next decade.
The projection reflects a renewed push by the administration to unlock the vast but underutilised potential of the livestock value chain as a pillar of food security, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
This outlook was outlined during a high-level livestock stakeholders’ engagement held in Ilorin, Kwara State, which convened more than 250 participants drawn from across the livestock ecosystem, including ranchers, poultry farmers, pastoralists, veterinarians, feed millers, and agribusiness investors.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, his Special Adviser, Mark Mbaram, said the Federal Government was determined to reposition livestock production from a subsistence activity into a structured, commercially viable sector capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
According to him, food security is inseparable from national security, stressing that strengthening the livestock industry is central to stabilising food supply, reducing imports, and expanding employment opportunities, particularly for rural communities and young Nigerians.
Livestock Sector GDP and Nigeria’s New Economic Vision
At the heart of the government’s strategy is the livestock sector GDP, which officials say has remained below its true potential for decades due to policy inconsistency, weak coordination, and overreliance on outdated production methods.
The new vision seeks to reverse this trend by modernising the sector and aligning it with global best practices.
The Ministry of Livestock Development has developed a National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, which has already received approval from the National Economic Council.
The strategy focuses on improving productivity, strengthening value chains, enhancing animal health systems, and promoting private-sector investment across beef, dairy, poultry, and small ruminant production.
A special committee has also been inaugurated to drive the transition from open grazing to ranch-based livestock management, which the Federal Government now considers the most sustainable and economically efficient model for the future.
Officials argue that modern ranching offers better animal welfare, higher yields, improved disease control, and greater returns on investment, while also reducing conflicts associated with open grazing.
End of Open Grazing Era, Focus Shifts to Ranching
Government representatives were unequivocal in their message that the era of open grazing and itinerant herding is gradually coming to an end.
They described nomadic livestock production as increasingly unproductive, environmentally unsustainable, and incompatible with modern economic realities.
The minister emphasised that ranching allows for proper feed management, controlled breeding, and access to veterinary services, all of which are critical to scaling output and improving quality.
He noted that countries with advanced livestock industries have long embraced ranch-based systems, enabling them to build export-ready value chains and attract foreign investment.
By adopting ranching nationwide, the government believes Nigeria can significantly raise productivity per animal, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen the livestock sector GDP over time.
States, Private Sector Key to Livestock Transformation
The Kwara State Government was commended for positioning itself as a strategic partner in the Federal Government’s livestock reform agenda.
State officials said Kwara was leveraging stakeholder engagement, policy reforms, and partnerships with the private sector to tackle long-standing challenges in livestock production.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said the state was committed to creating an enabling environment for farmers and investors through access to finance, improved market linkages, and structured engagement with pastoralists and crop farmers.
Participants at the engagement included representatives of ranchers’ associations, the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Animal Science Association, youth-led agribusiness groups, and women-owned livestock enterprises, underscoring the sector’s broad socio-economic relevance.
Addressing Years of Neglect and Structural Gaps
Officials acknowledged that the livestock industry suffered years of neglect when it was previously subsumed under the Ministry of Agriculture, despite its immense contribution to livelihoods and nutrition.
This neglect, they said, limited innovation, stifled investment, and weakened disease surveillance systems.
The Director of Livestock Services in the ministry, Mohammed Ahmad Umar, said separating livestock development into a dedicated ministry was a deliberate move to give the sector focused attention and policy clarity.
According to him, if properly harnessed, the industry could become a major non-oil revenue earner, supporting economic diversification while absorbing millions of Nigerians into productive employment.
Animal Health Central to Livestock Sector Growth
Experts at the forum stressed that improving animal health is critical to achieving the projected livestock sector GDP expansion.
Poor disease control and low vaccination rates, they warned, continue to undermine productivity and pose risks to public health.
The Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Olugbon Abdullateef Salman, urged farmers to prioritise routine vaccination, biosecurity, and professional veterinary care.
He explained that preventing livestock diseases not only reduces losses but also protects humans from zoonotic infections that can spread through the consumption of contaminated animal products.
He added that strengthening veterinary services would improve meat quality, boost consumer confidence, and open opportunities for export-oriented livestock products.
Outlook: From Subsistence to Strategic Economic Asset
With a clear policy framework, growing political will, and increasing private-sector interest, analysts believe Nigeria’s livestock industry could finally transition from a largely informal activity into a structured economic powerhouse.
If successfully implemented, the government’s strategy could reshape rural economies, reduce food inflation, ease farmer-herder tensions, and position livestock as a key contributor to Nigeria’s long-term economic resilience.
As the push to grow the livestock sector GDP gathers momentum, stakeholders say sustained investment, effective enforcement, and continuous dialogue with producers will determine whether the ambitious $74 billion target becomes a reality or remains another unfulfilled projection.
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