Livestock Minister Commends Niger Governor Bago’s Agricultural Drive, Backs Large-Scale Development

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, has commended Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his administration’s investments in agriculture, particularly its efforts to transform the livestock sector.

Maiha gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Minna, where he led a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The minister said Bago’s agricultural initiatives had placed Niger State on the global map, while acknowledging the state government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for farmers and livestock producers.

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

Maiha identified feed and fodder development, breed improvement and livestock processing as key priorities of the ministry.

On feed and fodder, he said the ministry was collaborating with state governments to establish large-scale livestock development centres, with states expected to provide land for investors and operators to develop different segments of the value chain.

He also emphasised the importance of improving livestock breeds to increase productivity, particularly in dairy production.

According to him, the ministry plans to work with relevant stakeholders to introduce improved breeds capable of increasing milk production from about two litres to as much as 40 litres.

The minister noted that Nigeria currently spends approximately $1.5 billion on the importation of dairy products, stressing that improving local production would help reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

Maiha further advocated a shift from transporting live cattle over long distances to moving processed livestock products, describing the approach as a way to improve supply-chain security and efficiency.

He urged state governments to embrace Public-Private Partnership arrangements for the establishment of modern abattoirs, noting that the livestock industry has significant potential for employment generation.

The minister also called for strategic investments along the Sokoto-Badagry highway corridor, saying suitable locations could be developed into large-scale livestock centres to improve accessibility, visibility and the evacuation of livestock products.

Bago Seeks Rail Line Reactivation

Responding, Governor Bago called on the Federal Government to reactivate the Lagos-Kano-Jibia railway line to facilitate the transportation of cattle from northern Nigeria to the southern part of the country.

The governor said transporting livestock from the North to the South remained challenging, adding that rail transportation would reduce pressure on roads, minimise losses and help address tensions associated with the movement of livestock.

He appreciated the minister and his delegation for the visit, while commending Maiha’s leadership and innovative approach to transforming the livestock sector.

Bago also praised the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) for its interventions in Niger State.

He disclosed that the project facilitated a partnership between Niger Foods and Abis Abattoir in Abuja, under which the state is expected to supply 200 cattle daily.

The arrangement, according to the governor, is projected to generate approximately 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

He further emphasised the need to increase production of pasture and animal feed, assuring the minister that his administration would collaborate with the Federal Government to achieve the objective.

The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s efforts to mainstream livestock development into Nigeria’s agricultural agenda.

Minister Inspects Zaima Farms

Earlier, Maiha and his delegation inspected Zaima Farms, where he expressed satisfaction with the quality of the livestock facility and commended Bago for supporting agricultural development in the state.

The farm is among the beneficiaries of the L-PRES intervention, which supported the establishment of a poultry production unit with the capacity to process 10,000 chickens daily.

The inspection formed part of the ministry’s engagement with the Niger State Government on efforts to expand livestock production, strengthen agricultural value chains and promote investment in the sector.

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