The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has outlined plans to reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector as a contributor to national revenue and foreign exchange earnings through participation in the global red meat market. 

The announcement was made by the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during the Ministry’s 2026 budget defence before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Friday, 20 February 2026.

The Minister explained that, as a newly established agency, the Ministry faced limited budgetary releases in previous years but applied prudent financial management to maintain core operations, institutional coordination, and sectoral interventions.

Maiha disclosed that the Ministry received only N20 billion of the N75 billion take-off grant for 2024 and had no budgetary release for 2025. 

He added that the constrained funding limited the Ministry’s ability to implement key programmes, generate internal revenue, and create opportunities for economic growth.

The Ministry is now prioritising the economic transformation of the livestock value chain, with a focus on export-grade meat production and revenue generation.

“Nigeria possesses a large livestock population, yet we earn minimal value from it. Our objective is to move from subsistence production to a structured commercial system that supports exports, creates jobs, and generates revenue for the country”. 

“Limited budget releases have hindered our ability to create the necessary avenues to tap into the economy,” the Minister said.

Maiha highlighted Nigeria’s potential in the international red meat market, estimated at over N3.2 trillion annually in accessible destination markets. 

He noted that participation requires compliance with global standards, including animal identification, traceability, and disease control.

The Ministry is implementing a national livestock identification and traceability framework to track animals, prevent theft and cattle rustling, and meet export standards. 

It is also rehabilitating grazing reserves and service centres to improve feed and fodder availability, reduce seasonal migration, minimise conflict, and boost productivity. 

Other programmes include genetic improvement initiatives and strengthening animal health systems to increase meat yield and dairy output.

Senator Umar Shehu Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock Development, said the budget review process will ensure measurable impact, transparency, and alignment of sector investments with economic growth objectives.

“The livestock sector must transition from traditional practices to modern enterprise. Proper investment across the value chain will generate employment, reduce imports, and support national diversification,” he said.

Senator Buba highlighted the need for investment in breeding centres, artificial insemination, cold chain logistics, modern abattoirs, and quality control, as well as policies that attract private sector participation and improve access to finance. 

He noted that livestock development can create employment for youth and women, reduce imports, and conserve foreign exchange if budget allocations are realistic and efficiently implemented.

Similarly, Hon. Olawole Tasir Raji, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, and other committee members emphasised improved funding, inter-governmental collaboration, and private sector participation to unlock the sector’s economic potential.

The 2026 budget proposal carries forward 70 per cent of the Ministry’s 2025 capital allocation, in line with the Federal Government’s directive, bringing the 2026 capital budget to N7.14 billion. 

An additional N1.8 billion has been earmarked for overhead and operational expenses.

Source: FMLD