FG Targets Livestock Sector as Key Pillar for $1tr Economy
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has moved to position Nigeria’s livestock sector as a primary engine for food security and inclusive growth, identifying it as a critical component in the national ambition to build a $1 trillion economy.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders Roundtable on Transforming the Livestock Sector in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, stated that the industry represents one of the nation’s most immediately scalable economic opportunities. He explained that a coordinated, multi-level reform strategy is currently underway, focusing on policy alignment, institutional strengthening, and private sector-led investment to correct historical inefficiencies.
The Minister noted that the current national focus reflects the strategic vision of President Bola Tinubu to unlock high-impact sectors. He observed that while the livestock sector is present in every local government and community across the country, its contribution remains far below its true potential due to slow modernization and fragmented development efforts.
“The livestock sector is uniquely national in character—present in every state, every local government, and virtually every community,” Bagudu said. He pointed out that although the sector currently contributes about five percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it possesses the capacity for rapid expansion through targeted value chain development and improved productivity.
To drive this transformation, the Minister disclosed that the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, is leading a “whole-of-government” approach. This involves harmonizing interventions across federal, state, and local governments to ensure consistency and measurable impact nationwide. He described the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development as a decisive institutional shift intended to accelerate growth and attract modernization across production and distribution systems.
“Our objective is clear: to build a modern, competitive, and inclusive livestock economy that creates jobs, enhances livelihoods, and contributes significantly to national output,” Bagudu stated. He maintained that the role of the government is to provide a transparent, rule-based framework that enables the private sector to participate, while using public resources to de-risk investments and strengthen infrastructure.
The Minister further revealed that coordinated budgetary support is being mobilized across all tiers of government to support the millions of smallholder producers who form the backbone of the industry. Drawing comparisons with peer economies like Brazil and Indonesia, he argued that Nigeria’s demographic strength provides a solid foundation for a robust domestic market and future exports.
“Countries with similar population dynamics have demonstrated that livestock development can significantly boost GDP. Nigeria has even greater potential, given the scale of participation and resource endowment,” he noted.
Addressing the long-standing conflicts associated with livestock production, Bagudu identified outdated production systems and land-use pressures as the primary drivers of tension. He suggested that structured modernization, supported by technology and improved resource management, is the sustainable solution to these challenges.
“Modernization is the bridge between conflict and cooperation. By improving systems and supporting producers, we can transform historical tensions into economic partnerships that benefit all,” the Minister added.
Bagudu commended the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) for convening key actors from government and industry, describing the initiative as a strategic complement to federal reforms. He concluded that the sector is not merely a reform agenda but an economic imperative that will define Nigeria’s transformation journey. “With the right coordination, investment, and policy discipline, the livestock sector will not only meet domestic demand but emerge as a major contributor to exports, jobs, and national prosperity,” he said.
