UNIDO, Nigeria Discuss Systems to Track Livestock From Farm to Market

News in Brief:

— Nigeria and UNIDO are exploring technical collaboration on livestock identification, traceability, food safety, laboratory capacity and certification.

— The proposed partnership could help Nigeria meet international requirements for livestock exports while improving safety standards for domestic consumers.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is exploring technical collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to strengthen livestock identification and traceability as Nigeria works to build a safer and more competitive livestock sector.

The discussions focused on animal identification, food safety, laboratory capacity, certification and support systems for international trade in livestock products.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, the ministry's Permanent Secretary, described animal identification and traceability as critical to the sector’s future as Nigeria seeks to expand livestock production and exports.

“No trading partner will take any piece of meat from you if you don't have a system capable of tracing livestock and livestock products through the value chain,” Akujobi said.

Her comments point to a central challenge for Nigeria’s export ambitions. Production is only one part of international markets. Products must also be traceable, tested and certified.

Traceability to Serve Nigerian Consumers

The ministry proposed that systems should not be designed solely around export requirements. Akujobi stressed that stronger safety and quality controls must also protect consumers within Nigeria.

“Whatever we are doing should cut across products for both international and domestic markets,” she said.

The ministry is working towards a policy framework for animal identification and traceability. It seeks UNIDO’s technical input on infrastructure, software and capacity building.

It also wants to examine practical technologies such as identification tags and microchips, with attention to affordability, available equipment and long-term sustainability for farmers.

Beyond traceability, the Ministry identified disease-free zones or compartments, veterinary inspector training, biosecurity and laboratory upgrades as priority areas.

UNIDO Proposes Digital Tracking Systems

Adalberto Carvalho Santos Vieira, UNIDO Regional Programme Manager, said the organisation would support Nigeria in deploying digital technologies that connect livestock identification with databases.

These systems could strengthen animal health management, improve consumer confidence and make it easier for products to meet international market standards.

“UNIDO has successfully worked on livestock identification and traceability systems in other nations. We believe we can support the deployment of digital tracking technology to guarantee animal health, build consumer trust and open doors to related exports,” Vieira said.

The development partner also indicated that its potential support could cover food safety testing, laboratory capacity, inspector training and certification processes.

It would also help assess existing national and regional capabilities, identify gaps and determine priority interventions.

Building a Pathway to Livestock Exports

A key objective of the proposed collaboration is to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to export honey, red meat and other livestock-related products.

The focus on traceability comes as the government seeks to move the livestock sector towards greater commercialisation and international competitiveness.

A functioning system would enable authorities and industry participants to track animals and livestock products through the value chain, while providing evidence that products meet relevant health and safety standards.

The proposed partnership therefore extends beyond technology. Its success would depend on whether identification systems, laboratories, veterinary services, biosecurity measures, and certification processes can work together. All of these must be applicable and affordable for farmers.