The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has launched the second phase of its national capacity-building programme for Quality Assurance Assessors as part of efforts to improve livestock standards, strengthen food safety, and increase the competitiveness of Nigeria’s livestock products in domestic and international markets.
The two-day training programme is being held in Kaduna State and brings together participants from the North-West geopolitical zone, including Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Zamfara states.
The programme follows the successful completion of the first phase, held in Yola, Adamawa State, from May 6 to 8, 2026, where assessors from the North-East received training on quality assurance systems, food safety compliance, traceability, and regulatory standards.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Dr Nurallah Abubakar, Director of Quality Assurance and Certification at the ministry, emphasised that quality assurance is essential for improving confidence in Nigeria’s livestock products and expanding access to both local and export markets.
He explained that the training is designed to equip assessors with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and standardised tools required to carry out objective, consistent, and evidence-based assessments across the livestock value chain.
According to him, quality assurance assessors play an important role in ensuring producers and processors comply with regulatory standards while encouraging continuous improvement across the sector.
He said stronger quality assurance systems would help improve consumer confidence, increase productivity, and expand market opportunities for Nigerian livestock products.
Abubakar also urged participants to maintain professionalism, integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality in carrying out their responsibilities, noting that these values are critical to building a credible national quality assurance system.
The Director of Veterinary and Livestock Services in Kaduna State, Dr Pakachi Zakariya, described the initiative as timely, saying it would help address long-standing challenges related to quality control, food safety, and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s livestock industry.
He expressed concern over unhygienic processing and transportation practices affecting livestock and dairy products in some parts of the country, stressing that stronger quality assurance systems are needed to protect public health and improve consumer confidence.
Zakariya added that ongoing reforms in the livestock sector would only achieve lasting results if supported by effective regulatory systems capable of improving food safety, increasing productivity, and strengthening market access.
Also speaking, a representative of the Kaduna State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Dr Sani Bello, said quality assurance is vital for reducing post-production losses, improving productivity, and making Nigerian livestock products more competitive in regional and international markets.
The training forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen the livestock value chain through improved standards, better food safety practices, and enhanced compliance with national and international quality requirements.
