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The federal government has partnered with key development agencies to establish a Livestock Sector Donor Working Group (LDWG) — a unified coordination platform aimed at boosting investment, aligning donor programmes, and accelerating Nigeria’s livestock transformation agenda.
The initiative emerged as the key outcome of the Donor and Development Partners’ Workshop on Livestock Development in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Tuesday, under the theme “Strengthening Strategic Partnerships for Livestock Transformation.”
Speaking at the event, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, minister of Livestock Development, said the government’s Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) provides a roadmap to raise the sector’s value from $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035, through large-scale private sector participation.
Maiha revealed that discussions are ongoing with major international investors, including JBS, one of the world’s largest meat processors, for a potential $2.5 billion investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
“Our goal is to articulate a clear mission and vision at the macro level, establish a formal engagement framework with global partners, and mobilise resources, technology, and expertise to drive sustainable growth,” Maiha said.
The minister added that the NL-GAS, approved by the National Economic Council, is anchored on ten strategic pillars designed to remove systemic bottlenecks and attract value-chain investments across meat, dairy, hides, and feed production.
In her remarks, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, permanent secretary described the LDWG as a “practical mechanism” to harmonize donor interventions with national priorities and ensure measurable impact.
Hussein Gadain, FAO country representative, lauded the Ministry’s leadership in driving livestock sector reforms, pledging continued FAO support for implementing the NL-GAS to strengthen food systems and rural livelihoods.
Similarly, Temitayo Omole, programme manager, EU reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s livestock health systems, particularly in the fight against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and other transboundary diseases.
Read also: Mukhtar, Jega bag NIAS Fellowship awards for contributions to livestock development
Participating organisations endorsed the formation of the LDWG, agreed on an inauguration roadmap, and nominated an interim Co-Chair to coordinate preparatory activities ahead of its formal launch.
The LDWG is expected to function as a joint investment and policy coordination hub, facilitating information exchange, resource mobilisation, and strategic alignment among government institutions, donors, and private sector players.
