President Bola Tinubu has announced plans to more than double Nigeria’s livestock economy from an estimated $32 billion a year to more than $64 billion, with ranching, dairy production, meat processing and private investment at the centre of the government’s strategy. Farmers, livestock businesses and potential investors are expected to watch for further implementation details from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, as the announcement did not set a single start date for all the proposed measures.
Tinubu outlined the plan on Monday, 10 August, at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture in Abuja. He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The five-day conference, which runs from 9 to 13 August at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, is focused on repositioning animal agriculture to strengthen food security and make African producers more competitive internationally.
The policy forms part of the administration’s wider attempt to diversify Nigeria’s economy, where agriculture was among the sectors supporting economic growth in the first quarter of 2026. New Daily Prime previously reported that the agricultural sector grew by 3.15 per cent in Q1 2026.
Ranching and dairy at centre of livestock expansion
Tinubu said the government wants to move livestock production away from predominantly subsistence practices towards a more organised commercial industry capable of attracting large-scale investment.
“Our national strategy aims to more than double the sector’s economic contributions,” the president said.
The government plans to pursue the target through higher productivity, better animal health services, improved livestock breeds, commercial feed production and what officials describe as climate-smart farming systems.
Ranching is also being promoted as one of the modern production systems that could increase output while helping to address some of the tensions traditionally associated with livestock movement.
However, the announcement should not be interpreted as an immediate nationwide order compelling every livestock farmer to move into ranches. The speech, as reported, promoted ranching and other modern systems but did not announce a blanket compulsory ranching rule or a single deadline for implementation.
The Federal Government has been developing its livestock reform programme since 2024. Tinubu inaugurated a presidential committee on livestock reforms in July that year, bringing together government, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders to address problems affecting farmers, herders, processors and distributors.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development was subsequently established as part of the broader reform agenda. The ministry says its mandate includes improving productivity, food security and economic growth while tackling infrastructure gaps and farmer-herder conflicts.
Nigeria wants to cut dependence on imported milk
Dairy production is another major part of the plan.
Tinubu said the government wants to double local milk production through better breeds, improved animal nutrition, modern breeding systems and increased private-sector participation. Proposed investments include pasture development, commercial animal feed, milk collection facilities and processing plants.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has already identified dairy production, livestock breeding, animal health and private investment as important parts of its wider transformation programme. In June, officials also stressed the need to increase local milk production and consumption as part of efforts to strengthen food security.
Jobs and private investment
The government also sees livestock as a potential source of employment for young Nigerians and women.
Tinubu said opportunities could be created across production, processing, transport, technology, finance and exports. The administration also plans to encourage access to finance, digital technology and private-sector partnerships.
That approach fits into the government’s wider investment strategy, which includes its ambition to build a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030.
There is also a regional dimension. Tinubu called for stronger cooperation between African countries on animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, cross-border livestock movement and trade. He said Nigeria would support increased livestock trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Mizeck Chagunda, interim president of the All African Society for Animal Production, also urged delegates to use the conference to build practical partnerships rather than limiting discussions to academic presentations.
For livestock farmers and investors, the key question will now be how quickly the government turns its targets into functioning ranches, veterinary services, feed systems, processing facilities and financing programmes.
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