Nigeria, U.S. strengthen livestock, meat sector collaboration
NIGERIA – The Minister of Livestock Development, Alh. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, recently met with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, Jr., and his team to explore new avenues for improving Nigeria’s livestock and meat industry.
The meeting, detailed in a statement by Ben. Bem Goong, Director of Information and Public Relations at the ministry, signals a huge step in enhancing Nigeria-U.S. relations while supporting economic growth and food security.
Ambassador Mills outlined the U.S.’s commitment to expanding trade links between Nigerian livestock producers and American food exporters.
He announced plans to sponsor 25 Nigerian exporters and livestock professionals to attend the Global Food Processing Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for January 2025.
The event aims to connect Nigerian stakeholders with international experts, providing a platform for networking and sharing best practices in livestock management.
Mills emphasized the importance of livestock in addressing food insecurity and promoting trade, highlighting its potential to ease tensions between Nigerian farmers and herders.
He suggested that cooperation in areas like breed improvement, food processing, and technology adoption could unlock significant growth for Nigeria’s livestock industry.
Minister Maiha reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to modernizing the sector to make it more globally competitive and sustainable.
Maiha also shared the Ministry’s plans to upgrade Nigeria’s 417 grazing reserves with infrastructure such as water systems, schools, clinics, markets, and abattoirs.
As of 2022, Nigeria’s livestock population includes 258.5 million chickens, 137.4 million goats and sheep, 20.9 million cattle, and 9.2 million pigs.
The sector accounts for between 10% and 40% of Nigeria’s GDP and provides 36.5% of the country’s household protein.
In terms of production, Nigeria’s meat output is expected to grow modestly, from 1.6 million metric tons in 2023 to about 1.6 million metric tons by 2028.
However, meat consumption is forecast to decline slightly, from 1.4 million metric tons in 2023 to 1.3 million metric tons in 2028.
The poultry sector also contributes significantly, with Nigeria producing 454 billion tonnes of meat and 3.8 million eggs annually from its 180 million birds.
The country’s fresh meat market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 12.5% from 2024 to 2029.
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