Daniel Adaji
Nigeria and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are exploring priority funding areas aimed at transforming the country’s livestock sector, following high-level discussions between the bank and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
According to a statement issued Saturday by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, hosted an AfDB Identification Mission delegation on Friday in Abuja to conclude talks focused on potential financing interventions.
The delegation was led by Dr. Damian Ihedioha, Senior Agricultural Development Leader at AfDB.
The statement said the meeting centred on identifying strategic areas for investment to strengthen productivity, resilience and sustainability across Nigeria’s livestock value chain.
Maiha outlined the ministry’s overarching objective of ensuring year-round availability of quality feed, fodder and sustainable water resources to improve livestock output and reduce conflicts linked to resource scarcity.
Discussions were structured around six major components. These include feed, fodder and water systems to guarantee consistent supply; strengthened animal health services targeting disease prevention and productivity; and value chain development alongside breed improvement to enhance genetics, value addition and market competitiveness.
Other priority areas include a livestock enterprise support programme designed to equip youth and women with starter packs, training and market linkages; finance and insurance mechanisms to improve access to funding and livestock insurance; and institutional capacity and project coordination to support effective implementation through stronger human capacity and multi-level monitoring.
The AfDB delegation expressed optimism about the proposed interventions and pledged to explore funding options aligned with the ministry’s vision of building a resilient, productive and commercially competitive livestock sector, the statement added.
