President Tinubu Pledges Action On Livestock Farming Amidst $1.5bn Dairy Import Concerns

President Tinubu Pledges Action On Livestock Farming Amidst $1.5bn Dairy Import ConcernsPresident Bola Tinubu reassured Nigerians on Thursday that his administration will avoid the past mistakes of former governments that overlooked livestock farming and fostered dependence on dairy imports. He made this commitment during the opening of a two-day consultative workshop on livestock reforms at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasized the need for a robust framework to invigorate the livestock sector, create jobs, and attract foreign investment. He stated, “The livestock sector is critical, and we will provide the support needed to enhance its value to our country. Stakeholders can be assured that your collaboration and investment will be worthwhile.”

The President highlighted the absurdity of a country with over 200 million people failing to provide basic nutrition, like a daily pint of milk in classrooms. He acknowledged the missed investment opportunities in the past and called for a collective effort to restart the sector.

Tinubu praised the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, led by Co-Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and Secretary Prof. Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, for their dedication to transforming the sector. He outlined a vision to shift Nigeria’s livestock industry from a subsistence model to a thriving commercial sector that significantly contributes to the Gross Domestic Product and offers sustainable livelihoods.

Despite Nigeria being the leading livestock producer in West Africa, with 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 60 million sheep, and 16 million pigs, Tinubu expressed concern over the country’s low production of animal-source foods. He noted that annual outputs of milk (0.7 billion litres), meat (1.48 million tonnes), and eggs (0.69 million metric tonnes) fall short of national needs. Moreover, he pointed out that per capita consumption levels are troublingly low compared to global averages, calling for urgent action to address these challenges.

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