Nigeria's Livestock Sector Poised for N33 Trillion Boom, 350,000 New Jobs Under New Plan
Abuja, Nigeria – A transformative new road plan for Nigeria's burgeoning livestock sector is projected to generate approximately 350,000 employment opportunities within its initial two years, according to Dr. Akajiugo Emeka Obegolu SAN, President of the Abuja Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (ACCI). Speaking during a candid interview on Trust TV, Dr. Obegolu detailed a comprehensive strategy designed to revolutionize the industry and harness its immense economic potential.
Central to this ambitious blueprint is the proposed establishment of a National Livestock Development Fund. This crucial financial mechanism will be designed to provide accessible funding to farmers and various stakeholders across the entire livestock value chain, thereby facilitating significant growth and development within the sector.
Commendation for New Ministry and Private Sector-Led Growth
Dr. Obegolu extended profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration for its strategic foresight in extricating the livestock sector from the Ministry of Agriculture and establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development. This move, he noted, signals a decisive step towards placing a focused emphasis on the development of Nigeria's vital livestock industry.
“This is a step in the right direction so that focus will be placed on developing the livestock industry in Nigeria,” Dr. Obegolu stated. He further emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in driving this growth. “The major thing is to establish the environment to enable private sector investments to come in. The government should not be the one to drive the development of this sector, but they should provide the framework, provide the policies that make it easy for the private sector investments to come in. They provide guidance, so to speak, and then the private sector will come in.”
The ACCI President affirmed that the private sector is not only ready but eager to collaborate with the public sector to ensure the robust expansion of the industry.
Unlocking a N33 Trillion Economy: A Holistic Approach
Describing the sector as “actually a N33 trillion economy waiting to be tapped,” Dr. Obegolu outlined a multi-faceted approach to unlock this immense wealth. He highlighted recent engagements with the government that explored critical areas for intervention and modernization:
Grazing Management: Initial discussions focused on establishing designated grazing reserves and minimizing open grazing. The aim is to transition animals into structured feedlots, optimizing their performance for both beef and milk production.
Scientific Advancement: The plan delves into the scientific backbone of livestock development, encompassing genetics, artificial insemination, and robust veterinary services to improve animal health and productivity.
Modern Processing and Cold Chain Logistics: A significant focus is placed on enhancing meat processing capabilities and developing efficient cold chain infrastructure. Dr. Obegolu echoed the Minister for Livestock Development’s sentiment, asserting there is no justification for cattle to endure arduous treks from regions like Katsina or Yola down to Owerri or Bayelsa.
Eliminating Trekking and Preserving Quality: Such long-distance travel adversely affects animal welfare and leads to substantial weight loss. The strategy prioritizes investment in modern processing plants, enabling the efficient transport of high-quality, processed meat via cold chains to southern markets, thereby replacing traditional, inefficient trekking methods.
Comprehensive Value Chain Exploration: The ecosystem of the livestock value chain is vast and rich with opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to, leather production for footwear, and the provision of milk and eggs crucial for the nutrition of growing school children, underscoring the sector's broad socio-economic impact.
The ACCI's vision paints a vivid picture of a modernized, efficient, and highly profitable Nigerian livestock sector, poised to become a cornerstone of national economic growth and job creation.