Livestock revolution gains momentum as Nigeria targets poverty reduction, export growth

With Nigeria’s population projected to reach about 250 million by 2030, pressure is mounting on the nation’s food systems, particularly the livestock sector, to deliver more beef, milk, and other animal protein at scale. Stakeholders across government and industry now agree that transforming livestock production is no longer optional—it is central to tackling poverty, improving nutrition, and building a globally competitive agricultural economy. Bennett Oghifo reports

In today’s evolving business landscape, while many entrepreneurs pursue visible market gaps, a few choose to tackle deeper, long-standing systemic challenges. The Managing Director of Rahama Integrated Farm Limited, Munir Babba Danagundi, clearly belongs to this latter category. His foray into livestock farming was not accidental but purpose-driven—anchored in a determination to bridge the persistent divide between affordability and nutritional value, and to position the sector as a catalyst for meaningful social and economic transformation.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding livestock industry, which is increasingly attracting highly educated and even foreign-trained professionals drawn by its strong commercial potential, his journey stands out. Not only has the sector opened up substantial income-generating opportunities for farmers, but it has also become a space where innovation and ambition are beginning to reshape traditional practices.Within this context, Danagundi’s success story has emerged as a powerful source of inspiration. It offers a practical, replicable model for farmers across the country, demonstrating what is possible when vision meets execution. More importantly, his focus extends beyond local impact. By aligning his operations with global market demands—through the pursuit of quality certifications, adherence to rigorous production standards, and a commitment to delivering high-quality produce with minimal pesticide residues—he is steadily positioning his enterprise to compete on the international stage.
But there is a global demand for meats and he wants more support for farmers’ to meet this demand. He is exploring opportunities to export to the Middle East. Despite rising input costs and operational challenges, the sector continues to offer strong prospects, particularly as attention turns to export opportunities and value chain development. This renewed momentum is being reinforced at the policy level. During the 2026 budget defence, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the sector as a major contributor to national revenue and foreign exchange earnings. He emphasised a transition from subsistence production to a structured, commercial system capable of supporting exports, generating jobs, and driving economic growth. According to the minister, the nation’s vast livestock population has yet to translate into commensurate economic value. He noted that the global red meat market—estimated at over ₦3.2 trillion within Nigeria’s accessible export destinations—presents a significant opportunity. However, unlocking this potential, he noted, will require strict adherence to international standards, particularly in animal identification, traceability, and disease control. To address these gaps, he indicated that the government is rolling out a national livestock identification and traceability system aimed at improving transparency, curbing cattle rustling, and meeting export requirements. Parallel efforts, he added, are underway to develop feed and fodder systems, rehabilitate grazing reserves, and reduce seasonal migration, which has long been a source of conflict and inefficiency. He further noted that programmes targeting genetic improvement and stronger animal health systems are expected to boost meat yield and dairy productivity.
Maiha stressed that these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to position the country as a competitive player in global livestock markets. By strengthening infrastructure, expanding value chains, and promoting sustainable practices, the government aims to align rural livelihoods with export-driven growth.

Analysts believe that with the right mix of policy reforms, infrastructure investment—particularly in cold chain and processing—and rapid adoption of innovation, Nigeria could emerge as one of the world’s leading livestock producers. Insights from the Malabo Montpellier Panel’s report, Meat, Milk & More, reinforce this optimism. The report highlighted successful policy and institutional reforms in countries such as Ethiopia, Mali, South Africa, and Uganda, where coordinated interventions in animal health, research, and market systems have attracted investment and driven sectoral growth.

Ethiopia, in particular, according to Project Knowledge Management Expert , the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)’s African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) initiative, Eric Allela, has demonstrated how tailored policies for pastoral and non-pastoral systems can simultaneously advance food security, nutrition, and poverty reduction.

Allela underscored the urgency of reform, describing livestock as critical to national nutrition but constrained by low productivity and weak market linkages.
According to him, progress will depend on building integrated value chains that connect producers, processors, and consumers more efficiently.

He pointed to Ethiopia’s “Luna model” as a compelling example of what is possible. “The model links thousands of out growers to formal markets, supported by veterinary services, traceability systems, and export-grade processing facilities. This approach has improved supply reliability, reduced losses, and enhanced profitability. Beyond its commercial impact, the model has delivered social benefits, including increased participation of women and youth, as well as more stable incomes for pastoral households, particularly during dry seasons.”

He added that formalised supply chains also unlock financing by enabling lenders to assess cash flows rather than rely solely on collateral, thereby expanding access to credit for pastoral producers.

Across Nigeria, a similar momentum is beginning to take shape. In a concerted effort to streamline the livestock supply chain, key players within the sector are engaging in structured business-to-business matchmaking to foster more reliable partnerships and stabilise prices. At a recent industry forum, stakeholders activated structured transactions covering about 416.6 tonnes of livestock products, signaling a shift away from fragmented, informal trade toward coordinated, volume-driven agreements.

Under the APMD platform, stakeholders have moved from dialogue to concrete transactions, unlocking ₦3.74 billion in domestic supply commitments and forward contracts at a high-level investment forum in Abuja. The event brought together producers, processors, financiers, and technology providers in a coordinated effort to reposition livestock as a scalable and investible asset class.
Among the standout deals, ABIS Group secured a supply arrangement with the Livestock Butchery and Cooperative Society to deliver cattle weekly, underscoring growing confidence in predictable sourcing and scale.

Momentum extended beyond a single transaction, with several producers and processors entering supply agreements aimed at improving consistency and quality control. Companies such as Majestic Farms, ABAT Abattoir, and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria aligned around structured delivery schedules designed to stabilise supply.

Analysts noted that the ₦3.74 billion in deals unlocked at the forum represents more than a one-off milestone, but a signal of deeper structural change.
The forum also reinforced the importance of strengthening business-to-business linkages as a pathway to unlocking trade and boosting exports. Some of the most notable agreements illustrated how these partnerships are evolving.

The Livestock & Butchers Cooperative Society committed to supplying Amo Farms with goats and cattle weekly, with prices benchmarked per kilogramme and transportation to Oyo State integrated into the deal.

In another arrangement, Majestic Farms entered advanced discussions with ABAT Abattoir to supply animals weekly—particularly Bunaji and Bokolo breeds—with pricing tied to live weight, while transport costs are borne by the buyer.
Even as these agreements signal progress, stakeholders acknowledged that structural challenges persist. According to them, price volatility remains a central concern, complicating long-term planning and contract stability.

Participants pointed to a range of cost drivers—including transportation, foreign exchange fluctuations, security conditions, government policy, and seasonal variations—that continue to influence final pricing.

Private Sector Engagement Expert, AU-IBAR, Mohammed Eidie, is optimistic that the forum will serve as a catalyst for deeper collaboration, stronger investment flows, and renewed trust across the livestock value chain.

In his view, the real significance of the gathering lies not just in dialogue, but in its potential to align actors—from producers to processors and distributors—around a shared vision for a more resilient and commercially viable sector.
He argued that sustained growth in the industry will translate directly into improved livelihoods, noting that a more structured and efficient livestock economy can generate jobs, stabilise incomes, and ensure a steady supply of fresh meat for millions of Nigerians. “When the value chain begins to function as an integrated system. You don’t just see higher output—you see communities thrive, incomes become more predictable, and food security strengthened in very tangible ways,” he said.

Looking ahead, Eidie stressed the importance of raising standards across the board, particularly in handling, processing, and market access.

He envisions a sector where Nigerian livestock products can compete confidently in multiple destination markets, backed by consistent quality and safety benchmarks. “We need to move towards a system where improved standards are not the exception but the norm. That means investing in people through training, encouraging knowledge exchange, and building the kind of infrastructure that supports modern livestock production and processing. When these elements come together, the benefits ripple across the entire ecosystem,” he explained.

Indeed, the sector is also emerging as fertile ground for youth entrepreneurship. Across both rural and urban areas, young Nigerians are leveraging innovation to transform livestock production and marketing.

One such entrepreneur is Yazid Muktar, Acting Chief Operations Officer , Kaduna-based Zaidi Farms Ltd. The company operates an integrated livestock system spanning the Kaduna–Kano–Abuja corridor, combining intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive production models while partnering with pastoral communities. Muktar emphasised that consistency of supply remains critical to meeting market demand.

According to him, processors require predictable volumes, which can only be achieved through coordinated systems and strong value chain partnerships. He noted that digital tracking of livestock data, including weight and health metrics, has improved operational efficiency and decision-making within the business.
Despite these advances, he acknowledged ongoing constraints such as high feed costs, expensive logistics, weak cold chain systems, and limited access to tailored financing. He stressed the need for flexible funding models aligned with agricultural production cycles to enable expansion and sustainability.