Livestock Minister Commends Niger Governor Bago’s Agricultural Development Efforts

Livestock Minister Commends Niger Governor Bago’s Agricultural Development Efforts

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, has commended the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his strides in agriculture, particularly his efforts to develop the livestock sector.

Maiha gave the commendation when he led a delegation from the Ministry of Livestock Development on a courtesy visit to Governor Bago at the Government House in Minna.

The minister said the governor’s agricultural initiatives had placed Niger State on the global map, while acknowledging the state government for creating an enabling environment for farmers, especially livestock producers, to thrive.

He stressed the need to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into a profitable, sustainable and globally competitive industry capable of strengthening food security, creating jobs and wealth, supporting rural development, and promoting peace and social harmony.

Maiha identified feed and fodder, breed improvement, and livestock transportation and processing as key areas requiring urgent attention. He said the ministry was working with state governments to encourage large-scale livestock development centres where farmers could specialise in different value chains.

On breed improvement, the minister said the Federal Government planned to work with stakeholders to introduce improved breeds and technologies capable of increasing dairy production from the current average of about two litres to as much as 40 litres per animal.

He noted that Nigeria currently spends about $1.5 billion on the importation of dairy products, stressing the need to boost domestic production.

The minister also called for greater investment in livestock processing, urging state governments to establish abattoirs through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). He advocated the transportation of processed livestock products instead of live animals, which he said would improve efficiency and security across the value chain.

Maiha further urged stakeholders to take advantage of the Sokoto-Badagry highway by developing large-scale livestock centres along suitable locations on the corridor to facilitate access, visibility and evacuation of livestock products.

Responding, Governor Bago reiterated the need for the Federal Government to reactivate the Lagos-Kano-Jibia railway line to facilitate the movement of cattle and other livestock from the northern part of the country to the South.

The governor said improved rail transportation would reduce pressure on roads, minimise losses and transportation challenges, and contribute to addressing farmer-herder conflicts.

Bago also commended the minister for his leadership and innovative approach to transforming the livestock sector. He praised the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) for its interventions in Niger State.

According to him, L-PRES facilitated a partnership between Niger Foods and Abis Abattoir in Abuja, under which Niger State is expected to supply 200 cattle daily, with an estimated 20,000 direct and indirect jobs expected to be created.

The governor also called for increased production of pasture and animal feed, assuring that the state government would continue to work with the ministry to strengthen the livestock value chain.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to mainstream livestock development as an important component of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Earlier, the minister and his delegation inspected Zaima Farms, where Maiha expressed satisfaction with the quality of the farm and commended Governor Bago for his support for livestock development.

The farm is one of the beneficiaries of the L-PRES intervention and includes a poultry production unit with a capacity to process 10,000 chickens daily.

Bologi Ibrahim Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State October 2, 2026.

Livestock Minister Commends Niger Governor Bago’s Agricultural Development Efforts