Daniel Adaji
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has praised the UK-funded Propcom+ programme for what he described as impactful interventions accelerating growth in Nigeria’s livestock sector, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening partnerships that strengthen animal production and rural livelihoods.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting in Abuja on Friday, where Propcom+ briefed the ministry’s management team on its activities, Mukhtar said the programme’s work aligns with national priorities and ongoing sector reforms. The minister was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Stephen Ohaeri.
According to a statement issued Saturday by the ministry, the minister described the interventions as “impactful and aligned with national priorities,” while commending Propcom+ for its transparency and results-driven approach.
He noted that the engagement demonstrates the ministry’s determination to collaborate closely with development partners to tackle persistent challenges in animal health, feed production, vaccine supply and institutional capacity. Mukhtar assured the organisation of government support to expand successful pilots and attract more private investment into livestock value chains.
The statement said the minister pledged readiness to provide policy backing to “scale successful pilots, streamline regulatory processes, and encourage increased private sector participation, particularly in vaccine manufacturing, animal health service delivery, and feed production.”
He also stressed the need for inclusive growth across the sector, stating that empowering women and improving last-mile delivery systems are essential to unlocking the industry’s potential.
Propcom+ Country Representative and Political Director in Nigeria, Dr Adiya Ode, said the meeting aimed to align the programme’s next phase with government priorities as it enters its fourth year.
She described Propcom+ as an eight-year UK Government-funded initiative that began in 2022, adopting a market-led strategy to transform rural economies while addressing climate, conflict and productivity pressures.
Ode highlighted several livestock-focused interventions, including the piloting of solar-powered cold chain systems for vaccines. Through partnerships with private agro-veterinary dealers, 58 agro-vets in Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa states have received solar refrigeration units under a commercial model.
She disclosed that 525 community animal health workers and veterinary paraprofessionals are delivering services in rural communities, helping more than 456,000 livestock farmers access vaccination and advisory support. Propcom+ has also backed eight veterinary pharmaceutical distributors to expand delivery networks across multiple states.
On feed production, the programme supported a pilot commercial alfalfa project in Jigawa State that harvested over 200 tonnes and attracted more than £924,000 in private investment. Ode said the initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s potential to become a regional hub for high-protein livestock feed, boosting dairy productivity and export prospects.
In vaccine manufacturing, the programme awarded a grant exceeding £1 million to the National Veterinary Research Institute to upgrade production systems. The investment targets an increase in PPR and Newcastle disease vaccine output from 15 million to 110 million doses by 2028, alongside policy and market assessments to reduce bottlenecks and costs.
Ode appealed for sustained high-level government support, urging faster regulatory reforms and stronger coordination with states and agencies. She called for institutionalised donor collaboration through a livestock working group to prevent duplication and maximise impact.
By 2030, Propcom+ plans to support 4.1 million smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs, strengthen resilience for 3.79 million beneficiaries and leverage £204 million in private investment from an initial £95 million UK commitment.
Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi, appreciated the programme’s sustained engagement and encouraged expansion of its support. He reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to reposition livestock as a driver of food security, employment and economic growth.
The meeting drew directors from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, special advisers to the minister, the Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development, representatives of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency and Propcom+ officials, underscoring what the ministry described as a multi-stakeholder approach to transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.
