Federal Ministry of Livestock Development - FMLD

FG Trains 100 Dairy Farmers, Reaffirms Commitment to Sector Growth

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s dairy sector through strategic capacity development at the grassroots, following the training of 100 small-scale dairy farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The training, facilitated by the Ministry from 4th - 6th May, 2026, focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge on dairy farming best practices, improved husbandry techniques, and sustainable approaches to milk production, collection, and processing.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi, described the initiative as timely and critical to strengthening the capacity of dairy farmers and advancing national dairy production.

“As we continue to push for self-sufficiency in livestock production, initiatives like this remind us that real transformation begins with empowering farmers at the grassroots.

“This training is essential to improving productivity, ensuring quality, and building a sustainable dairy value chain that benefits rural communities and the nation at large,” he said.

Ajimobi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the full economic potential of the livestock sector through targeted policies, strategic partnerships, and impactful programmes, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained and serve as change agents within their communities.

Also speaking, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Florence Kalulu, stressed the importance of small-scale dairy farmers in Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem, noting their contribution to food security and rural economic development.

“Smallholder dairy farmers are the backbone of local milk production. Their resilience and dedication continue to sustain communities across this state and beyond,” she said.

Dr. Kalulu acknowledged existing challenges in the sector, including low productivity, poor animal health management, inadequate hygiene practices, and limited access to modern techniques. She added that addressing these issues is essential to improving the quality, safety, and profitability of dairy production.

Dr. Kalulu noted that the initiative aligns with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which aims to boost productivity, enhance farmers’ livelihoods, reduce import dependence, and strengthen national food and nutrition security.

“This training is not just about learning, but about transformation. We expect participants to become ambassadors of good practices, sharing knowledge and inspiring others within their communities,” she added.

The training programme covered key areas such as sustainable feed supply through improved pasture development and feed conservation, breed improvement, feeding practices for milking cows, herd health management, and opportunities in milk collection and handling.

In her remarks, the President of the Women in Dairy Production Association (WIDPA), Mrs. Racheal Eyitayo-Ariori, commended the Federal Government for its renewed focus on the dairy sector and called for greater inclusion of women in dairy production.

“When small-scale dairy farmers are supported, the impact on the economy is significant, with increased milk production and broader economic benefits,” she said, noting the strategic importance of Oyo State in agricultural production within the South-West region.

One of the participants, Moyosore Olatunde, who has been involved in dairy farming for over a decade, expressed optimism about the future of the sector, while calling for increased youth participation.

“We need more young people to come into dairy farming with innovative ideas, and this can happen faster when the government provides the necessary support,” he said.

The training featured a blend of classroom instruction, interactive discussions, pictorial demonstrations, and hands-on practical sessions. It also included the distribution of essential inputs such as heifers, feed, and salt licks, to boost productivity and support improved dairy operations.

The Ministry remains committed to scaling up similar interventions nationwide as part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector and ensure sustainable growth in dairy production.

Livestock Ministry Trains Quality Assurance Assessors

As part of efforts to strengthen food safety, improve livestock product standards, and enhance Nigeria’s export potential, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, in collaboration with Reo-Forte Investment Limited, organised a three-day training programme for Quality Assurance Assessors across selected livestock value chains in the Northeast geopolitical zone.

The training, which held in Yola from 6th-8th May, 2026, brought together participants from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe to build capacity in quality assurance systems, food safety compliance, traceability mechanisms, and regulatory standards within the livestock sector.

The programme featured technical presentations on livestock value chains, animal product processing and marketing, record keeping and reporting systems, food safety and hazard analysis, risk-based inspection, laboratory testing protocols, and national, regional, and international regulatory frameworks, including Nigeria and ECOWAS standards.

Declaring the training open, the Director of Quality Assurance and Certification, Dr. Nurallah Abubakar, described quality assurance as a critical component of public health, food safety, and sustainable livestock development.

“Ensuring quality is the bottom line for all our activities, especially when it concerns animal and human health. Quality assurance is critical to ensuring safe and wholesome animal protein for consumption within Nigeria and for export markets,” he said.

Dr. Abubakar explained that the training forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen quality assurance systems and increase the number of certified assessors across the country.

“These participants will return to their respective states and train others. This is only the beginning. We will also extend the programme to other geopolitical zones to build a stronger national quality assurance system,” he stated.

He further highlighted Nigeria’s export opportunities in livestock products, particularly red meat and animal by-products, noting the growing international demand for Nigerian livestock products due to their largely natural production systems and relatively low use of veterinary drugs.

Dr. Abubakar linked the training to the implementation of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), stressing that quality assurance and certification remain fundamental to achieving productivity, food safety, market access, and export competitiveness.

"Countries in the Middle East are increasingly looking to Nigeria for quality livestock products. Our animals are naturally raised, and this places Nigeria in a strong position globally, especially at a time of growing concern over antimicrobial resistance and food safety.

“Without effective quality assurance mechanisms, we cannot achieve the desired improvements in productivity, food safety, export potential, and overall sector growth,” he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Nyalas Bartholomew, described the training as timely and strategic, noting that livestock activities across many parts of the country have operated for years with limited oversight and inadequate quality control systems.

He commended the Ministry's leadership for introducing a structured framework for quality assurance assessment and regulation across livestock value chains, stressing that the selection of field officers for the training was deliberate and aimed at ensuring practical impact at production and processing points.

"The livestock and veterinary spaces in this country, particularly in the Northeast, have witnessed very robust activities over the years, but largely without structured quality control mechanisms, biosafety systems, or clearly enforced standards and protocols.

“We were very intentional in selecting personnel who work directly in the field because these are the people expected to ensure compliance with standards at abattoirs, poultry markets, dairy facilities, and other livestock production centres,” he stated.

Dr. Bartholomew further assured participants of the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening the legal and institutional framework necessary to support enforcement of standards and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian livestock products.

“You have the full backing of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. There will be legal and regulatory frameworks to support this process because our products must meet acceptable national and international standards for both domestic consumption and export,” he added.

Participants also undertook a field visit to the Jimeta Modern Abattoir to inspect facilities, assess compliance with sanitary and operational requirements, and reinforce practical knowledge on inspection systems, traceability, reporting mechanisms, and enforcement of established standards across livestock production and processing chains.

Chief Consultant in the Department of Quality Assurance and Certification at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinwe Ezejiofor, explained that the Ministry’s broader objective is to position Nigeria’s livestock sector for improved export opportunities and increased contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

She stressed the need for abattoirs to align with international best practices to enable the country move beyond local meat consumption into the export market, thereby earning foreign exchange and strengthening the economy; adding that the inspection also served as an awareness and sensitisation exercise to encourage operators to comply with established standards and regulations.

During the experience-sharing segment, participants observed significant lapses in antimortem inspection, poor sanitation, weak record-keeping, and unsafe meat handling practices, warning that such conditions could increase the risk of disease transmission.

They recommended improved infrastructure, proper waste management, safer transportation systems, and stronger public-private partnerships to enhance operational standards and food safety compliance.

Responding, the Abattoir Manager, Dr. Joshua Mallum Shallangwa, highlighted existing facilities and ongoing improvements within the abattoir, including renovations of the slaughterhouse, construction of cold rooms, toilets, and biodigesters.

He, however, acknowledged operational challenges such as poor drainage, inadequate infrastructure, and irregular water supply.

LIVESTOCK MINISTRY ORGANIZES HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMME FOR STAFF ON HYPERTENSION, STRESS MANAGEMENT, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has organized a two-day health awareness program for its staff on hypertension , stress management ,emotional intelligence, as well as leadership and management skills.

The program, is geared towards promoting good health, strengthening workplace relationships, and enhancing management capabilities among staff.

The health awareness program is being held in Abuja from Thursday, 7th to Friday, 8th May, 2026.

Declaring the program open, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, described the initiative as timely and crucial, given the increasing demands of public service and the need to maintain a healthy, productive, and emotionally balanced workforce.

“As officers entrusted with critical national responsibilities, we must recognize that good health and sound emotional well-being are essential ingredients for effective service delivery, professionalism, and institutional excellence,” Dr. Akujobi said.

She added that, the program would equip participants with preventive measures, healthier lifestyle choices, and practical approaches to managing workplace and personal stress.

The permanent secretary, further noted that , the inclusion of emotional intelligence, leadership, and management skills underscores the Ministry's commitment to fostering interpersonal relationships, workplace harmony, and professional effectiveness.

“In today’s dynamic work environment, technical competence alone is no longer sufficient, but rather the ability to lead with empathy, manage people effectively, communicate constructively, and maintain emotional balance is equally critical,” she emphasized.

Dr. Akujobi commended the organizers and urged all participants to actively engage in the sessions, interact with the resource persons, and apply the
knowledge gained to both their personal and professional lives.

In his presentation, Dr. Emeka Izuagba, a public health physician and epidemiologist, recommended regular monitoring of vital signs and consistent physical activity such as brisk walking, jogging, running, and gymnastics as an effective way to prevent and manage hypertension.

A consultant cardiologist, Professor Etubi Ibrahim, described hypertension as a “silent killer” that often presents without obvious symptoms.

He stressed that proper management involves adherence to prescribed medications, regular sleep, reduced salt intake, avoidance of raw salt, stress control, and a low-cholesterol diet. He strongly discouraged the use of unverified traditional herbs due to risks associated with improper dosage.

Professor Etubi also highlighted key risk factors for hypertension, including genetics/family history, age, race, gender, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and overweight/obesity.

Meanwhile, consultant neurosurgeon Professor Joseph Obande, in his presentation on stress management, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills, noted that effective leaders create supportive work environments, promote teamwork, encourage open communication, and recognize staff contributions.

He warned that poor leadership could breed fear, anxiety, and tension in the workplace.
Prof. Obande also recommended counseling, therapy, strong social support systems, and a balanced diet as key strategies for managing individual stress.

FMLD - INAUGURATE THE WORKING COMMITTEE FOR THE PROPOSED PERFORMANCE OF VETERINARY SERVICES (PVS) EVALUATION IN NIGERIA.

The Hon. Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Murkhtar Maiha has said that the inauguration of a technical Working Committee on the Proposed Performance Evaluation by the Ministry, has marked another significant step in our collective commitment, to strengthen Veterinary Services (VPS) Evaluation Mission , with a view to focus on Pestle des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Nigeria.

The Minister disclosed this, when the Inauguration Committee on the proposed PVS Evaluation, with special focus on PPR, paid a courtesy visit to his office, today 6th May 2026, in Abuja.

Murkhtar said that , the event marks another significant step in our collective commitment to strengthening Veterinary governance, improving animal health systems, safeguarding livelihoods, and enhancing food security in the country.

The Mission he said, was scheduled to take place in June, 2026, this represents a critical mile stone, in our collective efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s animal health system, and reposition the veterinary Services for improved performance, resilience, and global relevance for socio- economic development of the nation.

He equally recalled that Nigeria underwent a PVC evaluation last in 2019, which provided a comprehensive and objective assessment of our veterinary services, stressing that deliberate steps have been taken since then, to address identified gaps and improved service delivery across the country.

The Minister further said that, this follow-up mission is therefore not merely a routine exercise, but an opportunity to demonstrate progress, validate reforms, and identify areas that require further strengthening.

The Minister re-emphasized that PPR remains a disease of significant economic and food security importance, particularly for small holder farmers, stressing that Nigerians commitment to the global eradication of PPR must therefore be reflected not only in policy, but in measurable capacity across surveillance, vaccination, diagnosis, and response system , he added.

He specifically mandated the committee, to develop a clear roadmap and workplan for the evaluation process; facilitate data gathering and documentation required for the mission; to coordinate stakeholders’ engagement and inter-agency collaboration.

Thus ensuring timely communication with the WOAH team; to identify existing gaps and recommend immediate preparation actions; and finally promote nationwide awareness and participation among all relevant institutions and stakeholders service wide.

Muktar further added that, strengthening of Veterinary Services is not merely an animal health issue, but a direct link to public health, food safety, economic stability, trade opportunities, and national development

In his words “effective veterinary systems, are indispensable to the health approach, particularly in an era, where emerging and re-emerging diseases, continue to pose global threats”.

The Minister ,commended all stakeholders for their support in advancement of Veterinary Services in Nigeria, which includes; our International Partners, Technical Agencies, State Governments, Veterinary Professionals, and Frontline Animal Health Workers, whose dedication continued to sustain diseases prevention and control efforts across the country.

He formally inaugurated the technical working committee for the proposed performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Evaluation Mission in Nigeria with focus on “Peste des Petits” Ruminants (PPR).

FG PARTNERS FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES TO BOOST LIVESTOCK SECTOR

The Federal Government has pledged to support farmers with disabilities in Nigeria through targeted programmes aimed at strengthening the livestock sector and promoting inclusive agricultural development.

This commitment was made by the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during a meeting with the Association of Farmers with Disabilities in Nigeria (AFDiN), led by its President, Dr. James Lalu, in Abuja on Wednesday 6th May, 2026.

The Minister noted that agriculture remains critical to food security, job creation, and national stability, stressing that persons with disabilities have a vital role to play across the livestock value chain.

He explained that, members of the association can benefit from training in areas such as animal husbandry, veterinary support services, and community-based livestock management, adding that the Ministry is expanding opportunities for inclusive participation.

Maiha further disclosed, that the Ministry’s programme 1,000, targeting youth and women in every state, including the FCT, will deliberately incorporate farmers with disabilities.

“We will ensure inclusion when selecting beneficiaries. Farmers with disabilities must be part of this process,” he said.

The Minister also commended , the association for its contributions to agronomic activities and assured them, of continued support through capacity building and the provision of livestock to enhance productivity.

In his remarks, AFDIN President, Dr. James Lalu, highlighted that many of the association’s members are actively engaged in poultry, sheep, and goat farming, among other areas within the livestock value chain.

He called on the government to provide targeted empowerment packages, especially for members in rural communities, to help scale their operations.

“We are not here for pity. We are capable, we are active, and we can succeed just like anyone else. What we need is support and understanding,” Lalu stated.

He added that stronger collaboration with the Ministry would help address longstanding challenges faced by farmers with disabilities and unlock their full potential.

The President also commended the Minister’s commitment to inclusion and his broader efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector.

Livestock Ministry Receives Investment Proposal from Industry Partners

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, on Wednesday, 6th May 2026, received a delegation from Consolidated Limited Investment Partners, led by the Legal Adviser for Amedeo Solution, Barrister Emmanuel Omoruyi, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to deepen private sector participation in Nigeria’s growing livestock industry.

In his remarks, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment that supports investment, innovation, and sustainable growth, noting that the establishment of the Ministry was a deliberate policy move to unlock the sector’s full economic potential and position Nigeria as a leading destination for livestock investment in Africa.

He observed that the proposed investment aligns with the Ministry’s strategic direction, particularly its strong advocacy for ranching as a more sustainable, modern, and economically viable model of animal husbandry.

Highlighting the scale of opportunities in the sector, the Minister noted, “Nigeria has a national demand of about 1.7 billion litres of milk annually and over 1.5 million metric tonnes of red meat. These gaps represent real investment opportunities, and we are ready to work with partners to close them.”

Mukhtar further disclosed that over five million hectares of land have been earmarked across the country for livestock development, including designated grazing reserves that are being transformed into modern economic hubs.

Addressing concerns around security, the Minister acknowledged existing challenges but assured investors of the government’s proactive approach in deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to ensure a safe and stable investment climate. He noted that increased investment in agriculture and livestock would also contribute to job creation and reduce insecurity.

Earlier, the delegation presented a comprehensive proposal aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector through large-scale investments in ranching, dairy production, and integrated agricultural systems.

The proposal includes the establishment of modern livestock hubs featuring residential estates, healthcare facilities, schools, and other supporting infrastructure, alongside structured profit-sharing arrangements with local stakeholders.

They also outlined plans to introduce advanced technologies, strengthen capacity through international partnerships, and promote knowledge transfer across the livestock value chain.

According to the delegation's Spokesperson, Barrister Omoruyi, the initiative is designed to combine global expertise from Europe, Asia, and the Americas with strong local participation to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.

The investors further revealed plans to expand dairy production, improve animal feed systems, and enhance access to markets, with particular attention to empowering local farmers and addressing food security challenges.

Barrister Omoruyi stressed that achieving these goals would require a stable and predictable policy environment, effective regulatory support, and strengthened security assurance, while also expressing appreciation for the Federal Government’s openness and confirming the team’s readiness to submit a detailed proposal within 60 days.

Strategic Partnerships Key to Sustainable Livestock Reform Drive - Mukhtar

As part of efforts to consolidate gains and ensure the sustainability of ongoing reforms in the livestock sector, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, says strategic partnerships remain central to achieving long-term transformation and institutional stability in the sector.

Speaking on Wednesday 6th May, 2026, while receiving a delegation from the UK-funded SPRiNG Programme, led by its Team Leader, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Minister commended the Programme for its timely and impactful support.

“Your technical assistance came at a critical time and has had a catalytic effect on our ability to stabilise and deliver. What is important now is to sustain these gains and translate them into long-term outcomes,” the Minister stated.

He further acknowledged SPRiNG’s contributions to peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected areas, noting that improved stability directly enhances productivity within the livestock sector.

“What you are doing in the peace and security space is impactful. As peace improves, productivity follows, and that is critical for the sector,” he said.

Mukhtar also highlighted the Programme’s role in strengthening the Ministry’s communication systems, describing the support as instrumental in improving stakeholder engagement and message clarity.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to a long-term partnership, he stated, “This collaboration must be continuous and evolving. Sustainability is key, and we expect our partnerships to grow in scope and impact as the Ministry expands its mandate.”

Earlier, Dr. Ukiwo reaffirmed the Programme’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s livestock transformation agenda through expanded collaboration in key areas. “Over the past year, we have initiated a number of interventions with the Ministry. As we move into a new programming phase, it is important to take stock and align with the Ministry’s priorities going forward,” he said.

He noted that SPRiNG’s interventions have covered peace and security initiatives, development of the Ministry’s strategic communication framework, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building efforts.

“We are here to explore how we can build on existing gains and expand our support in ways that deliver measurable and sustainable impact,” he added.

The meeting further identified priority areas for continued collaboration, including enhanced support for peacebuilding initiatives, development of livestock data systems, and the implementation of animal identification and traceability through pilot tagging programmes in selected states, which will serve as models for nationwide scale-up.

Additional focus areas include targeted programmes for women and youth within the livestock ecosystem to drive inclusive growth, improve productivity, and strengthen sector governance.

FG Strengthens Livestock Genetic Conservation with Unified National Protocols

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s livestock sector have validated a set of harmonised national protocols aimed at strengthening the characterisation, inventory, and monitoring of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) in the country, as part of ongoing efforts to improve livestock breeding, conservation, and data-driven policymaking.

The protocols were validated at the end of a five-day National Workshop on the Review and Validation of the Harmonised Protocols for Characterisation, Inventory, and Monitoring of Trends and Associated Risks in Animal Genetic Resources Management in Nigeria, held from 28th April–5th May 2026 in Abuja.

The workshop, organised by the National Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, brought together genetic experts, researchers, policymakers, livestock breeders, development partners, and private sector representatives.

Participants reviewed and validated key documents including harmonised protocols for animal genetic characterisation, inventory and monitoring frameworks, national data collection templates, conservation plans for endangered breeds, policy briefs, finance and investment plans, as well as communication and advocacy strategies.

The workshop also endorsed the proposed Nigerian Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (NigDAD-IS) and an AnGR Dashboard to support data analytics, breed monitoring, and interoperability with global platforms such as FAO’s DAD-IS, ILRI’s DAGRIS, and AU-IBAR’s AAGRIS.

Declaring the workshop open, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stressed the urgent need for harmonised protocols to strengthen Nigeria’s livestock breeding and conservation systems.

“Without accurate baseline data, it is impossible to design appropriate breeding objectives or determine which breeds are best suited for specific agro-ecological zones,” the Minister stated.

He further noted that continuous monitoring systems are essential to detect early signs of genetic erosion, mitigate extinction risks, and support timely interventions such as conservation programmes and improved breeding strategies.

Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. Hussein Gadain, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s livestock transformation agenda through technical collaboration and institutional support.

“Veterinary and genetic services remain the first line of defence in protecting animal health, ensuring food safety, and maintaining market stability,” he said, while calling for stronger governance systems, improved surveillance mechanisms, and enhanced laboratory capacity.

Speaking at the close of the workshop, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, described the validation as a major step toward operationalising Nigeria’s National Strategy and Action Plan on Animal Genetic Resources launched in June 2025.

According to him, the validated protocols are aligned with FAO standards and form part of broader efforts toward establishing a national gene bank and strengthening livestock breeding systems in Nigeria.

He disclosed that stakeholders had also agreed on implementation timelines running through the end of the year, covering communication and advocacy, data collection, and collaboration with technical partners including the FAO.