The Federal Government has launched the National Livestock Growth and Advancement Strategy (NL-GAS), a two-phase 10-year plan aimed at doubling the nation’s herd size and sectoral output by 2035 through a strong public-private partnership (PPP) framework.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, unveiled the strategy during an Economic Management Team (EMT) meeting in Abuja, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The minister explained that the initiative would focus on modernising livestock production, boosting value chains, and ensuring sustainable growth in the sector, which remains critical for food security and rural livelihoods.
Edun described NL-GAS as part of ongoing government reforms designed to attract investment, strengthen food security, and promote private-sector-led economic growth.
The EMT also reviewed Nigeria’s economic performance, noting positive momentum, as key highlights included: inflation easing for the fifth consecutive month, now at 20%, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth sustaining above 3%, a ₦7.4 trillion trade surplus recorded in the second quarter of 2025, buoyed by competitive exchange rates and strict fiscal discipline.
Observers say the livestock strategy would not only complement these macroeconomic gains, but also generate jobs, improve nutrition, and reinforce Nigeria’s role as a regional leader in agriculture and food exports.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced plans to launch a National Peace Campaign to end recurring clashes between farmers and herders, alongside the relocation of livestock from Abuja city centre to designated grazing areas.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made this known at a media retreat in Abuja, stressing that peace in rural communities was essential for food security, job creation, and national stability. “Our countryside should have purpose, not armoured carriers. Milking machines must replace machine guns. We want peace, and we need peace to develop”, he said.
The minister also revealed that international agribusiness giants from Brazil, Europe, and the Americas are in talks to invest in Nigeria’s livestock sector, describing it as a sign of growing global interest. On the planned relocation of animals from the FCT, Maiha said the move would decongest the city and minimise farmer-herder tensions.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chinyere Akujobi, represented by the Director of Ruminants and Monogastric Development, Victor Egbon, said the retreat underscored the media’s role in shaping public understanding of government initiatives, saying communication is about fostering trust, shaping perception, and inspiring meaningful action.
