FG to Set Up National Livestock Development Council

The Federal Government has announced plans to convene the first-ever National Council on Livestock Development before the end of 2025. The council will serve as a platform for deliberation, harmonization, and review of policies and initiatives in the livestock sector, bringing together key stakeholders to shape a unified national agenda.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, revealed this initiative during a press conference to commemorate World Milk Day. Maiha emphasized the importance of the council in driving sustainable development in the livestock sector, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

The Ministry is also working to transform the dairy industry by doubling local milk production, reducing dependency on imports, and unlocking the economic potential of the livestock sector. Nigeria aims to increase national milk production from 700,000 metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes annually within five years, which would help cut the country’s over $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill.

The Ministry has recorded several achievements, including the registration of eight pasture species, development of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Animal Genetic Resources, as well as expansion of livestock vaccine production capacity. Other notable projects include the commissioning of a solar-powered cold storage facility and the inauguration of the Wase Livestock Village.

The Minister cited milestone projects like the Arla Dairy Farm in Kaduna and the Nestlé-backed Paikon Kore Dairy Training Facility in Abuja as models of progress. He praised the Ekiti State Government and Promasidor for transforming the Ikun Dairy Farm into a high-yield operation, producing 10,000 litres of milk daily.

The Ministry has partnered with several companies and organizations to introduce best practices, invest in dairy demonstration farms, and support smallholder farmers.

Maiha, however, lauded the media for their role in shaping public opinion and amplifying government efforts, emphasizing the importance of telling the story of the Ministry’s vision boldly and accurately.