Federal Government Upgrades NAPRI Facilities Under L-PRES Programme

News in brief:

-New livestock infrastructure commissioned at NAPRI aims to improve feed availability, pasture development and water access.

-The facilities were delivered under the World Bank-supported L-PRES project aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has commissioned new pasture seed processing, hay storage and water facilities at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika-Zaria, Kaduna State.

These facilities were inaugurated as part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector for improved productivity, resilience and food security.

The Minister said the interventions were delivered through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, L-PRES, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Facilities Target Feed and Water Challenges

Mukhtar described the projects as strategic investments designed to address long-standing challenges in feed availability, pasture development and water access for livestock research and production.

“Feed and pasture development remain critical to improving livestock productivity in Nigeria. These facilities are meant to support NAPRI to deliver practical, demand-driven solutions that will strengthen animal production systems and enhance food security,” the Minister said.

The commissioned infrastructure includes a 500-tonnes-per-annum hay barn, a single-line pasture seed processing unit with a capacity of 10 tonnes per hour, a 20-tonnes-per-annum pasture seed drying shade, and four solar-powered boreholes with drinking troughs within NAPRI.

An additional solar-powered borehole was also commissioned at one of the Institute’s outstations in Yobe State.

Minister Charges NAPRI on Innovation and Impact

Charging NAPRI to maximise the opportunities presented by the new facilities, Mukhtar urged the Institute to strengthen its role as a centre of excellence for livestock research, innovation and technology dissemination.

“NAPRI must continue to lead in developing and disseminating innovations that support commercial, competitive and environmentally friendly animal production systems. Our focus is to ensure that research outcomes translate into real value for farmers, jobs for our youth, and improved livelihoods for Nigerians,” he said.

The Minister also toured facilities at NAPRI and the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) where he emphasised the need for market-driven research, stronger partnerships and the commercialisation of innovations across the livestock value chain.

L-PRES Project Receives Positive World Bank Rating

Earlier, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, explained that the interventions fall under Component One of the project, which focuses on institutional and innovation system improvement.

“These facilities are part of our commitment to building the capacity of key institutions like NAPRI to support research, policy formulation and practical solutions for livestock development,” he said.

Abubakar disclosed that additional upgrades are underway at NAPRI, including improvements to artificial insemination and embryo transfer facilities, dairy and poultry units, and indigenous sheep and goat projects.

He added that the World Bank has rated the project satisfactory, with prospects for additional financing and expanded interventions.

Stakeholders Pledge Support for Livestock Reforms

The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, pledged the University’s support for the Minister’s vision, noting that NAPRI remains central to national efforts to modernise livestock production, address climate challenges and strengthen food systems.

In his response, the Acting Director of NAPRI, Prof Mohammed Rabiu Hassan, expressed commitment to ensuring the facilities are optimally utilised for research, innovation and dissemination of practical solutions that enhance livestock productivity and national food security.

Also speaking, the Director General of NILEST, Dr Auwal Mustapha Imam, said the Institute plans to scale up production in view of the improved variety and quality of leather from enhanced livestock breeds, while advancing efforts to patent innovations and promote commercialisation through private sector partnerships.

The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative, Prof Attahiru Jega, directors of the Ministry, university management, traditional rulers, academics and other key stakeholders.