The Federal Government says it is moving from policy design to full-scale implementation in transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector, with a focus on measurable outcomes in food security, nutrition, and economic growth.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, stated this while speaking as a panelist at the Nigeria Public Relations Week 2026 held in Kaduna.
Maiha said the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development marks a turning point in repositioning the sector from decades of underutilisation to a structured, value-driven contributor to the economy.
“For over 60 years, the livestock sector remained largely outside the formal economy. Today, we are taking deliberate steps to mainstream a $32 billion opportunity and translate it into real value for Nigerians,” he said.
The event, which began on April 21 and continued on April 22, took place at the Kaduna State Banquet Hall inaugurated by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and brought together policymakers, communication experts, and industry leaders to examine how strategic communication can drive food security and agricultural development.
Maiha noted that government efforts are focused on unlocking productivity across the livestock value chain, including animal health, feeding systems, market access, and value addition.
“We are not just talking about potential anymore, we are acting to ensure that Nigerians have access to nutritionally balanced diets. The reality today is that our consumption of milk and meat remains among the lowest in Africa, and that must change,” he said.
He also challenged prevailing perceptions about agriculture, describing livestock as a viable and profitable enterprise capable of generating continuous economic returns.
“Livestock is not a fallback after retirement, it is one of the most sustainable and profitable ventures. In livestock, there is value creation every day; from milk to meat, from eggs to leather. It is a sector of continuous productivity,” the minister added.
Other panelists at the session included Brylyne Chitsunge, Arik Karani, and Demo Kalla, who emphasised the need to align policy with practical realities, improve communication around agriculture, and integrate innovation into farming systems.
Karani, President of the Africa Public Relations Association, stressed the importance of reshaping public perception of agriculture through strategic communication and early education, while Kalla of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University called for curriculum reforms driven by data and technology.
In a key outcome of the session, the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ike Neliaku, announced plans to establish an Agriculture and Food Security Hub to enhance stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange in support of national food security efforts.
