Nigeria Targets ₦3.2tr Red Meat International Market

News in brief:

-Nigeria aims to capture a share of the ₦3.2 trillion global red meat market through export-focused livestock reforms and compliance with international standards.

-The livestock ministry says limited budget releases have slowed implementation, but reforms in traceability, genetics and animal health remain underway.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s livestock sector as a major contributor to national revenue and foreign exchange earnings through structured participation in the global red meat market.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, recently disclosed this during the Ministry’s 2026 budget defence before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on 20 February 2026.

Maiha stated that although the Ministry is newly established and operated within limited funding in the previous budget cycle, it applied prudent financial management to sustain core engagements and sectoral coordination.

Funding Constraints Limit Programme Expansion

According to the minister, his department received only ₦20 billion out of the ₦75 billion take-off grant for 2024 and recorded no budgetary release for 2025. This constrained funding limited its capacity to implement key programmes, generate internal revenue and unlock broader economic opportunities within the livestock value chain.

He stated that the Ministry is now prioritising the economic transformation of the sector, with emphasis on export-grade meat production and structured revenue generation.

“Nigeria possesses a large livestock population, yet we earn minimal value from it. Our objective is to move from subsistence production to a structured commercial system that supports exports, creates jobs and generates revenue for the country,” he said.

Market Opportunity and Compliance Requirements

Maiha highlighted Nigeria’s opportunity in the international red meat market, estimated at over ₦3.2 trillion annually across accessible destination markets. However, he stressed that entry into this market requires strict compliance with global standards, particularly in animal identification, traceability and disease control.

To meet these requirements, the Ministry is implementing a national livestock identification and traceability framework to monitor animal movement, curb cattle rustling and satisfy export certification standards.

Feed and fodder development initiatives, including rehabilitation of grazing reserves and service centres, are also underway to reduce seasonal migration, minimise farmer-herder conflicts and improve productivity. In addition, the Ministry is pursuing genetic improvement programmes and strengthening animal health systems to raise meat yield and dairy output.

Lawmakers Demand Measurable Impact

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock Development, Umar Shehu Buba, revealed that the budget review process aims to ensure measurable impact, transparency and alignment of investments with national economic growth objectives.

He emphasised that the livestock sector must transition from traditional systems to modern enterprise models supported by investments in breeding centres, artificial insemination, cold-chain logistics, modern abattoirs and quality control mechanisms.

Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Olawole Tasir Raji, and other members of the Joint Committee underscored the need for improved funding, inter-governmental coordination and private sector participation to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.

2026 Budget Projections

In the 2026 budget proposal, the Ministry carried forward 70% of its 2025 capital allocation in line with Federal Government directives, bringing the capital budget for 2026 to ₦7.14 billion. An additional ₦1.8 billion has been earmarked for overhead and operational expenses.

The Ministry maintains that sustained funding and structural reforms will determine whether Nigeria can effectively capture value from the red meat export opportunity and reposition livestock as a pillar of economic diversification.