Abuja: The Federal Government and stakeholders at both local and international levels have agreed to collaborate effectively to strengthen and promote the livestock sector across the country. The commitment was made at a Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, ahead of the upcoming Trade Fair and Exhibition and the Annual Livestock Development Summit.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting was organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in partnership with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of ACCI, emphasized the meeting’s aim to consolidate partnerships with stakeholders to advance livestock development. Jideani highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s assurance to eliminate bottlenecks hindering agricultural sector potential, including livestock production. He stressed the importance of collaboration to strengthen and promote the sector, ensuring the achievement of the administration’s mandate and objectives.
Jideani stated, “We are committed to ensuring that we work with various stakeholders both local and international to achieve this goal. Our reason for today’s meeting is to discuss how we can promote the sector by gathering the stakeholders, hear from them, exchange our ideas and knowledge, and put them into practice. This effort will support us to move the sector to a greater level. That is our reason for gathering people from different countries, government bodies, and other relevant stakeholders from our country to share our views.”
He also highlighted the Trade Fair and Exhibition as an opportunity for investors from both states and other countries to showcase their talents and products, boosting trading activities. Amb. Sidi Ladan, from the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, noted that President Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms in 2024 to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open new opportunities for farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain.
Ladan explained that the committee consists of members from the public and private sectors, state governors, and all Nigerians, aiming to strengthen the sector and achieve its mandate. Mr. Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, emphasized that collaboration with relevant stakeholders would support achieving the sector’s mandate. He noted the president’s commitment to reform and improve the sector effectively.
Abiola-Ajimobi remarked, “The president wants to ensure that the sector is strengthened, which is why he decided to inaugurate the committee. Livestock farming is a significant part of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and contributes notably to the country’s economy. The sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities, and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value chain that benefits farmers, processors, herders, distributors, and consumers alike.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that stakeholders at the meeting included delegates from the Republic of Cuba, Kenya, Republic of Indonesia, Mexico, China, and the ABIS Group, among others. These stakeholders demonstrated their interest in working with the government to ensure effective achievement of the sector’s mandates and objectives. They also commended the President, ACCI, and others for their efforts to strengthen the sector. Regarding the Abuja Trade Fair and Exhibition, scheduled for Sept. 25 to Oct. 6, 2025, stakeholders expressed their support and promised that the event would achieve positive results.