As Nigeria increases efforts to modernise its livestock sector in 2025, improving breeding practices is a fundamental driver for enhancing animal productivity, food security, and economic growth. 

The Federal Government is launching new initiatives with significant budget support and partnerships. These efforts aim to provide better genetics, control diseases, and improve livestock management technologies. This gives Nigerian farmers hope for higher yields and more sustainable farming.

How Breeding Affects Nigeria’s GDP

Nigeria’s livestock sector contributes about 17% of agricultural GDP and represents a critical protein source for millions. Despite this, productivity has been constrained by poor animal genetics, disease outbreaks, inadequate veterinary care, and low adoption of modern breeding techniques.

Breed improvement directly influences:

• Growth rates: Selective breeding for faster growth traits leads to animals that gain weight more efficiently, reducing the time to market.

• Milk production: Breeding for higher milk yield genes boost lactation performance and milk output per animal.

• Reproductive efficiency: Improved genetic traits can lead to better fertility rates and shorter calving intervals.

• Resistance to local diseases and harsh climates: Selecting animals with innate resistance to specific diseases and adaptability to environmental stresses fosters healthier livestock in challenging conditions.

Nigeria Government’s Commitment to Livestock Farming 

The 2025 Federal Budget allocated ₦1.77 billion specifically to boost animal health and sustainable livestock management, with part of this funding supporting improved breeding strategies. The Ministry of Livestock Development, established in 2024, has structured 17 departments targeting breeding, veterinary public health, and ranch development to modernise the industry and reduce production bottlenecks. 

Moreover, ₦11.8 billion has been proposed for ranch establishment and rehabilitation across seven states, including investments in artificial insemination (AI) programs designed to accelerate genetic gains. These funds facilitate breed improvement while reducing farmer-herder conflicts by promoting ranching systems.

The Role of Gene Banks in Breed Conservation and Improvement

A major breakthrough for Nigeria’s livestock revolution is establishing two new animal gene banks by 2025 to conserve indigenous and improved livestock genetics. These gene banks will:

• Preserve local breeds adapted to Nigeria’s environment  
• Store superior genetic materials from imported or crossbred animals  
• Support strategic crossbreeding programs that combine productivity with resilience  

According to Sanusi Abubakar, who serves as the National Project Coordinator for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), has announced plans for the establishment of a gene bank this year. He anticipates that Nigeria will introduce two new gene banks as part of this initiative.

These gene banks are essential for enhancing resilience, boosting productivity, and promoting the sustainable management of Nigeria’s genetic resources.

Adoption of Modern Breeding Technologies

Artificial Insemination (AI) is a cornerstone technology that can spread superior genetics quickly and cost-effectively. The government’s 2025 budget includes funding for AI interventions in grazing reserves, enabling farmers access to high-yielding breeds without the challenges of maintaining breeding bulls. 

With improved animal identification and record-keeping, AI allows controlled mating, better disease control, and avoids inbreeding. Extension programs train farmers and veterinarians on applying AI effectively.

Why Crossbreeding is Beneficial for Animal Farmers in Nigeria 

Nigeria values crossbreeding because it combines the toughness of local breeds with the productivity of exotic breeds. This method aims to improve growth rates and milk production while ensuring animals can handle local diseases and climate conditions.

The Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with countries like Brazil and Denmark to access genetic material and expertise that support this approach. These resources will help support crossbreeding efforts. 

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, already mentioned plans for crossbreeding “so that those elements of indigenous genetics are also preserved for future generations and future national growth.”

What Better Breeding Means on the Ground

Farmers adopting improved breeds or crossbreeding report:

• Increased milk yields: Local indigenous cows produce 2-3 litres/day, while crossbred cows can yield up to 8 litres.
• Faster growth rates: animals reach market weight sooner, reducing feeding costs.
• Improved fertility: shorter calving intervals increase herd expansion speed.

Greater disease resistance with locally adapted genetics reduces mortality. These gains depend heavily on Nigeria doubling its milk production goal from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually within five years. 

Tackling Challenges for Sustainable Breeding 

Despite progress, several hurdles remain:

• Disease outbreaks threaten gains but are mitigated by a ₦92.5 million project establishing disease-free zones in strategic areas such as the Mambilla Plateau and Ogun State.

• Farmer knowledge gaps are shrinking thanks to capacity-building workshops and extension services supported by the government and partners. 

• Multi-billion-naira investments backing sustainable feeding, breeding, and animal health systems are addressing infrastructure gaps in ranches and grazing reserves. 

Continuous training and stakeholder collaboration remain vital to ensure technology adoption keeps pace with policy and funding.

Ensuring Economic Growth and Food Security

Better breeding is a catalyst for Nigeria’s broader goals of increased livestock commercialisation, job creation in rural areas, reduced dependency on imports, and enhanced nutrition for Nigeria’s growing population.

Ministry projections show that modernising breeding, health, and management systems could unlock billions in economic value while securing sustainable animal-source food for millions. 

As Nigeria pursues its ambitious livestock transformation agenda, better breeding education is fundamental to unlocking higher productivity and farmer prosperity. Supported by government funding, new gene banks, AI programs, and crossbreeding initiatives, Nigerian farmers now have opportunities that were unavailable before.

Farmers adopting better breeding practices in 2025 can expect healthier, faster-growing, and more productive animals, leading to improved incomes, strengthened food security, and a revitalised livestock sector.