FG Targets Wudil Livestock Market as West Africa's Trading Hub

News in Brief:

—Nigeria's Federal Government plans to transform Kano's Wudil Livestock Market into a modern livestock trading hub serving the country and the West African sub-region.

—The upgrade will introduce improved infrastructure, regulated livestock trading, modern abattoirs and value-added processing to strengthen the livestock value chain.

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to transform the Wudil Livestock Market in Kano State into a world-class livestock trading hub and a model for modern livestock commerce across West Africa.

Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha announced the initiative during an inspection of key livestock infrastructure in Kano State. He described the project as part of the government's broader strategy to modernise Nigeria's livestock value chain through improved market systems, industrial processing and value addition.

Market Identified as Strategic National Asset

Maiha described the Wudil Livestock Market as one of Nigeria's most important livestock trading centres, noting that it handles an estimated 130 truckloads of livestock every week, with each truck transporting at least 35 cattle.

He said the market's high trading volume provides a strong foundation for its transformation into an international-standard livestock exchange capable of serving domestic and regional markets.

Despite its economic importance, the minister identified several challenges limiting the market's efficiency, including poor sanitation, inadequate slaughtering facilities, the absence of loading bays, weak veterinary services and insufficient regulatory oversight.

"Wudil is a strategic national asset; however, the environmental and operational gaps are significant. Our goal is to redesign this market and reposition it into a modern, permanent livestock exchange hub that operates daily and meets international standards," Maiha said.

Upgrade to Focus on Value Addition and Modern Infrastructure

The minister said the proposed reforms would shift livestock trading from the sale of live animals to a value-added system supported by feedlots, modern abattoirs and improved processing facilities.

He noted that livestock currently lose an average of 25 kilograms during transportation, describing it as an avoidable economic loss that modern infrastructure could address.

According to Maiha, the upgraded market will feature structured animal pens, segregated holding areas for different livestock species, veterinary quarantine and inspection units, administrative offices, banking facilities, security posts, hospitality services and organised commercial areas.

The facility will also be fully fenced and operate under a regulated system where livestock are registered, weighed and tracked to improve transparency, accountability and revenue generation.

Kano Government Backs Transformation Plan

The Kano State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Aliyu Isa Aliyu, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that aligns with the state's agricultural modernisation agenda.

He said the state government is committed to partnering with the Federal Government to develop Wudil into a model livestock market for Nigeria and the wider West African region.

According to him, the project is expected to improve livestock management, increase trade efficiency and boost internally generated revenue.

Minister Inspects Dairy and Feedlot Facilities

As part of the working visit, Maiha also inspected selected feedlots in Wudil and visited the Wudil Milk Collection Centre, where he met stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening dairy aggregation and integration across the livestock value chain.

The minister further toured Samal Integrated Farm, where management briefed him on the company's operations and future expansion plans.