A new public-private partnership is setting the stage for a major transformation in Nigeria’s livestock sector as the Alternative Bank, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, and Plateau State University joined forces to launch the ALFALFA Project in Plateau state university Bokkos.
The initiative, aimed at boosting feed production, supporting youth and women, and reducing pastoral conflicts, was formally unveiled during a high-level visit to the university.
Speaking during the launch on Tuesday in Bokkkos, Gbenga Awe, Group Head of Structured Trade and Commodities Finance at the Alternative Bank, said the bank’s non-interest finance model was uniquely suited to address Nigeria’s agricultural challenges.
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“Our model enables us to directly invest in projects that combine economic and social impact. This partnership with Plateau State University is not just about cultivating alfalfa, it’s about building a sustainable ecosystem”; Awe explained.
He said The Alternative Bank, a subsidiary of Sterling Financial Holdings, received its full non-interest banking license two years ago. Unlike conventional banks, it is structured to enter profit-and-loss sharing arrangements with credible partners, making it possible to fund ideas even when capital is lacking provided the capacity and feasibility are in place.
Awe expressed confidence in the university’s ability to deliver on the project, praising the institution’s commitment and vision.
“They’ve projected a 10-ton per hectare yield for alfalfa, and that’s exactly the kind of ambition we’re excited to support. The bank has also invested in essential infrastructure to ensure the project’s long-term viability”; he said.
Shedrach Gaya Best, a professor and the Vice Chancellor of the University, 😂welcomed the delegation warmly, noting the significance of the visit.
“It’s not every day that a university hosts such a diverse group from technical experts to policymakers and the private sector. This is a great day for us, and we do not take it for granted”; he said.
Best highlighted the area’s long-standing livestock history, dating back to the colonial era. “There’s no better place in Nigeria to discuss livestock development than Bokkos. We’ve had a dairy farm and agricultural training facilities for decades, and we’re proud to continue that legacy,” he said.
He added that the university had already overcome early challenges in the alfalfa trial and had developed new water infrastructure to ensure success going forward.
Richard Mark Mbaram, Special Adviser on Knowledge Management and Communication to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, described the project as a model for national transformation.
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“We launched the Presidential Initiative on Youth and Women in Livestock just two weeks ago. One of our goals is to co-create solutions with the private sector. The Alternative Bank stepped forward, and this partnership with Plateau State University is a direct outcome of that collaboration”; he revealed.
According to Mbaram, alfalfa is a critical crop that can help reduce pastoral migration, address feed shortages, and minimize farmer-herder conflicts.
“This isn’t just about growing grass. It’s about securing our food systems, reducing conflict, and giving pastoralists and farmers new tools for climate resilience”.
BusinessDay reports that The Alternative Bank officially handed over a mega farm to the university to support the cultivation of alfalfa and other livestock feed innovations.
The donation marks a significant milestone in the ALFALFA Project and underscores the bank’s non-interest finance model, which emphasizes impact-driven investments and collaboration with credible institutions to create sustainable ecosystems for food security and economic growth.
