The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has thrown its full support behind the establishment of the new Ministry of Livestock Development, calling the move a critical step towards ensuring national security, economic resilience, and job creation.
Speaking at the 2025 induction of new members in Abuja on Tuesday, the institute’s president, Simeon Ohwofa, stated that the decision aligns Nigeria with global best practices for managing the vital sector.
A Ministry Forged from Conflict
President Bola Tinubu announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development on July 9, 2024. The move was a direct response to the report from the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms, co-chaired by former INEC boss Prof. Attahiru Jega.
The ministry’s core mandate is to finally address decades of violent farmer-herder clashes and simultaneously boost the sector’s productivity.
Ohwofa emphasized the timeliness of this decision, stating:
“We stand at a time when animal agriculture is central to our nature’s quest for national security, economic resilience, employment generation and agricultural transformation.”
The N30 Trillion Asset Contributing Just 3% to GDP
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who also spoke at the event, framed the challenge in stark economic terms.
He noted that Nigeria’s livestock sector is considered a national asset valued at about N30 trillion. Despite this immense value, it contributes less than three percent to the national GDP.
Maiha said transforming the industry to achieve global competitiveness is a key priority. This transformation, he explained, must begin with improving animal breeds while preserving their genetic heritage.
The minister challenged the newly inducted animal scientists to “ask the tough questions and come up with the right answer” to unlock this potential.
A Call for Investment and Solutions
The event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Tunde Amole, reinforced the minister’s point by highlighting a massive investment gap. He noted that while livestock accounts for about 40 percent of agricultural GDP globally and across Africa, investment in Nigeria’s sector remains dismally low.
In recognition of their roles in championing this new focus, both the Minister, Idi Maiha, and the Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Reform, Prof. Attahiru Jega, were conferred with the honorary fellowship of the institute.
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