The Middle East has set its sights on Nigeria’s livestock sector, recognizing its potential for international trade and investment. According to the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhatar Maiha.
The Minister said, Nigeria is taking strategic steps to modernize and regulate the industry to meet global standards and maximize economic benefits.
To achieve this, Maiha emphasizes that the government is conducting a thorough inventory of internal cattle routes, ensuring they lead to designated grazing reserves. This initiative is aimed at improving livestock movement and management, preventing arbitrary disruptions, and optimizing grazing areas. Additionally, efforts are underway to digitize both local and international cattle routes to enhance disease control and border security.
A key aspect of this modernization plan according to the Minister involves the establishment of border control posts along international cattle routes. These posts will serve as checkpoints for disease management, preventing the introduction of infectious diseases, which previously entered the country through unregulated livestock movement. The government is also revisiting the ECOWAS protocol of 1979 to enforce regulations on cattle entry, ensuring livestock migration aligns with seasonal agricultural cycles and is properly documented.
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Ranching and animal tagging are pivotal to this transformation. Livestock will be tagged for traceability, allowing authorities to monitor their movement, reduce theft, and ensure public health safety. This system will also facilitate compliance with international meat export standards. Every animal will be linked to designated ranches and abattoirs, ensuring proper medical screening and certification before meat reaches the market. This process will assure both local and international buyers of the meat’s origin and quality.
Maiha said with increased interest from Middle Eastern buyers, Nigeria is positioning itself as a major player in the global meat market. The government is set to engage with pastoral organizations to collaboratively develop sustainable livestock management policies. Instead of imposing regulations, officials plan to work closely with herders to implement innovative solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability.
“Security remains a critical concern in the sector, and while the ministry does not directly handle security operations, it is implementing non-kinetic strategies to address conflicts between herders and farmers. One such measure includes sensitization programs and initiatives that promote self-sufficiency in pasture cultivation, reducing the need for livestock migration and potential clashes.”
“Another transformative aspect of this initiative is the introduction of high-yield livestock breeds. By replacing large herds of low-producing cattle with fewer but more productive animals, herders can significantly boost milk and meat output. For instance, instead of maintaining 100 cattle that collectively produce 90 liters of milk, herders can adopt improved breeds capable of producing the same amount with just three cows, thereby increasing efficiency and profitability.”
Maiha highlighted that this strategic approach mirrors successful livestock management models worldwide, and Nigeria aims to develop demonstration centers where herders can observe best practices firsthand. By embracing modern innovations and indigenous techniques, the nation is poised to become a key exporter of high-quality meat products to international markets.
With comprehensive reforms in place, the future of Nigeria’s livestock industry looks promising, offering immense economic opportunities while ensuring sustainable and regulated livestock management.
