Tinubu Says Livestock Can Drive Africa's Food Security, Jobs

News in Brief:

— President Bola Tinubu says Africa's livestock sector can become a major driver of food security, jobs and industrialisation.

— Nigeria highlighted reforms since creating its livestock ministry in 2024, alongside a new $26.1 million USDA partnership.

President Bola Tinubu revealed that Africa's livestock sector has the potential to become a major driver of food security, jobs and industrial growth across the continent. He made the remarks in Abuja at the opening of the 9th All-Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, where Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented him.

Tinubu declared that Africa's growing population and rising demand for animal protein made it urgent to reposition the livestock sector.

“The livestock sector represents not only a source of food and nutrition, but also a strategic economic asset capable of driving industrialisation, youth employment, regional trade and economic prosperity,” he said.

Nigeria's Reform Push

The president said his administration had placed agriculture and food security at the centre of its Renewed Hope Agenda. He pointed to the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 as proof of commitment to transforming the sector from subsistence farming into a modern, commercially competitive industry.

He added that Nigeria was implementing reforms recommended by the Presidential Committee on Livestock policies to strengthen governance, boost productivity and attract private investment. Central to this is the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, which covers breeding and genetics, veterinary services, disease surveillance, and investment in dairy, meat processing and feed production.

On dairy, Tinubu stated that the government was improving genetics, nutrition, pasture development and milk processing infrastructure.

“These measures are expected to increase local production, reduce dependence on imports, improve rural incomes and strengthen national food security,” he said. He added that young people and women stood to benefit significantly from investment in finance, digital tools and value-chain development.

Regional Cooperation Under AfCFTA

Tinubu called for stronger regional cooperation, harmonised standards and better disease-control systems, urging African countries to integrate livestock value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

He stressed that Africa could not achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation, given the challenges posed by animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and trans-border livestock movements.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, echoed this, noting that fragmented efforts have constrained the continent's efforts.

“Instead of competing in isolation, African countries should increasingly cooperate through regional specialisation and trade between different economic blocs,” Maiha said.

Stakeholders Admonitions and Messages

Speaking at the conference, Prof. Mizeck Chagunda, Interim President of the All-Africa Society of Animal Production, encouraged participants to produce practical solutions rather than just presentations.

He traced the conference's roots to a 1989 regional meeting in Nairobi, noting Nigeria's 2026 hosting has helped restore its schedule after gaps between past editions. More than 140 presentations were expected, alongside the debut of the African Livestock Changemakers Awards.

In a goodwill message, USDA Agricultural Counsellor Chris Bielecki said the United States remained committed to Nigeria's livestock growth. He disclosed that the US Soybean Export Council has trained more than 5,000 Nigerians in poultry, aquaculture, and feed mill management. The agency also recently approved a $26.1 million Food for Progress project to boost trade and financing in the animal feed, poultry and aquaculture sectors. A US-Nigeria Livestock and Feed Business-to-Business Connect event was scheduled for August 13 in Abuja.