The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has pledged to fully align its policies and programmes with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2026–2030.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this commitment during a three-day Top Management Retreat on the MTNDP held in Abuja from January 5 to 7, 2026.
He stated that the Ministry’s interventions would be strategically coordinated to support national development priorities and drive sustainable transformation across the livestock value chain.
Maiha identified breed improvement, feed development, disease management and peacebuilding as critical drivers of livestock development, stressing that peace remains fundamental to productivity and long-term growth.
According to him, unresolved conflicts continue to limit investment, disrupt supply chains and undermine rural livelihoods.
“Once we have peace, we can achieve stability and progress. Peace is central and must be treated as a national policy priority,” the Minister said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, explained that the retreat was designed to help staff critically assess the MTNDP framework and clearly define the roles of the Ministry and its agencies.
She noted that the focus was on ensuring interventions are measurable, results-driven and aligned with national goals.
Akujobi added that discussions centred on translating the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) into actionable and costed programmes, harmonising initiatives across departments, and strengthening monitoring and reporting systems.
She described NL-GAS as a 10-year roadmap aimed at building a modern, market-oriented, climate-resilient and conflict-sensitive livestock industry capable of boosting food security, creating jobs and supporting economic growth.
The retreat brought together officials from the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, directors and heads of parastatals under the Ministry, as well as senior advisers, underscoring a whole-of-government approach to livestock sector reform.
Source: FMLD
