The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has called on state governments to establish dedicated livestock ministries, emphasizing that the sector holds an economic potential of N33 trillion.
Maiha made the statement during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Livestock Development on Tuesday. He highlighted the need to “unbundle” the sector to fully unlock its potential, attract investment, and enhance productivity.
“This sector is worth about N33 trillion once unbundled,” the minister said. “We have a huge opportunity to attract capital into the country as well as accommodate a lot of ranchers. Currently, we are receiving numerous requests from Nigerian businessmen interested in ranching and dairy production.”
Maiha stressed the importance of state-level collaboration, urging state governments to create standalone ministries for livestock development to ensure seamless coordination with the federal ministry.
“At the moment, we are taking stock of state governments that already have ministries of livestock and fisheries,” he explained. “For those that haven’t, they should establish one to foster a direct relationship with the federal ministry. This will help formalize and derisk the sector, ensuring it becomes a critical driver of economic growth underpinned by strong political support from the presidency and this committee.”
Wale Raji, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, commended the initiative and expressed optimism about its transformative potential.
“The only regret is that the creation of this ministry came late, but better late than never,” Raji said. “With your experience as both a technocrat and a practising farmer, we are confident you are the right person to drive this agenda. The ultimate goal is the progress and development of our nation.”
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning the sector, describing it as a cornerstone for job creation and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
