Challenges at the First Livestock Development Council

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Challenges at the First Livestock Development Council

Addressing the Challenges of the Livestock Sector

The 1st National Council on Livestock Development, held in Yola, Adamawa State on Monday, November 24, 2025, brought together key stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting the livestock sector. The conference, themed "Livestock Rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope," aimed to chart a course for the modernization of this crucial industry.

Stakeholders such as farmers, investors, policy makers, technology developers, and parliamentarians gathered to discuss strategies for transforming the sector, which has long been plagued by crises. The minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, outlined the ministry’s achievements since its establishment a year ago. He emphasized that significant progress had been made, guided by initiatives like the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) and the National Livestock Master Plan.

Maiha highlighted that the NL-GAS aims to increase the value of Nigeria's livestock industry from $32 billion to $74 billion within five years. This includes boosting productivity per animal and increasing livestock numbers. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing discussions with companies interested in investing in various subsectors such as dairy, beef, fodder, small ruminants, poultry, piggery, and animal identification.

Fodder and Water Issues

One of the main causes of conflict between herders and sedentary farmers is the quest for water and feed. Although the government has registered eight new pasture species—a milestone not seen in nearly five decades—there remains a challenge in encouraging farmers to cultivate these varieties and persuading traditional herders to use them.

While the government has taken steps to improve infrastructure through projects like L-PRES, funded by the World Bank, experts suggest more investment is needed. This project provides solar-powered vaccine cold storage rooms, boreholes, drinking troughs, and other essential facilities across the country.

Maiha also mentioned that the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom is expanding its capacity to produce livestock vaccines, aiming to increase production from 120 million to 850 million doses annually. This will help protect both local and neighboring herds against zoonotic diseases.

Open Grazing and Reserves

During the conference, rumors circulated that open grazing had been banned. However, the minister clarified that this was false news. While open grazing is not viable, he suggested a gradual transition where all grazing reserves are fixed to allow herders to move into them.

Conflicts have intensified the need to modernize grazing reserves. Although work has begun in some areas, such as the Wase Livestock Village in Plateau State and the Kawu grazing reserves in the Federal Capital Territory, funding remains a major challenge due to the ministry's limited budget for capital projects.

This approach aims to provide modern infrastructure, including pasture development, health clinics, schools, and veterinary services, which require substantial resources.

Transitioning to Modern Practices

Nigeria must transition from low-yielding native breeds to climate-resilient, high-yielding stock. The National Strategy on Animal Genetic Resources provides the foundation for this change. Maiha urged governments to collaborate with the federal government to establish breeding centers and artificial insemination services.

Experts agree that open grazing is unsustainable and a source of conflict. According to Maiha, the government has a clear plan to rehabilitate the 417 grazing reserves into modern, secure, and economically viable Renewed Hope Livestock Villages (RHLVs). Marketing ranching as a contemporary option is essential.

Maiha also called on state governments to provide appropriate land to pastoralists willing to adopt modern methods. To modernize the entire sector, Nigeria needs significant investments along the livestock value chain—from feed production to processing, transportation, marketing, and consumption.

Key Strategies for Change

Key speakers, including Prof Attahiru Jega, the Special Advisor to the President on Livestock Reforms, emphasized the need to reorganize farmer-pastoralist corridors into structured fodder production hubs. This would involve both young farmers and herders, turning conflict drivers into economic opportunities.

Jega also called for an effective livestock census to better manage the country's livestock resources.


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