Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Murkta Maiha, has reaffirmed the federal government’s determination to further engage partnership with the private sector to unlock the huge potential of Nigeria’s livestock and agricultural industries.
Maiha made the assertion in Abuja while speaking at the Africa Agriculture Dialogue 2025, clarifying that such partnerships were central to food security, job creation, poverty reduction, and economic diversification as enshrined in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
To unlock the full potential of our agricultural industry, we must improve access to finance, technology, and knowledge,” the minister said. “It is because of this that our collaboration with the African Development Bank and other stakeholders, such as herders and processors, is central to ensuring inclusive participation along the agricultural value chain.”.
Maiha said agriculture, and more particularly the new Ministry of Livestock Development, remains at the center of the administration’s transformation agenda. He expressed optimism that Nigeria can match or even surpass global success stories in agricultural productivity.
“Less endowed nations such as Denmark and Ghana have transformed their agricultural sectors. With focus, innovation, and good institutions, there is no reason why Nigeria cannot achieve even more success,” he said.
Highlighting the enormous potential of the livestock industry, the minister noted that every component of an animal meat, dairy, leather, and by-products has economic value. “Our challenge is to create systems that turn these opportunities into businesses,” he added.
Denmark’s Consul-General, Jette Bjerrum, expressed her country’s readiness to share practical experience and risk-reduction strategies to boost Nigeria’s agricultural growth.
Similarly, the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Centre Chairman, Mr. Li Zhensheng, announced plans to promote China’s water-saving technologies to aid in addressing irrigation issues and year-round farming.
Dr. Abdul Kamara of the African Development Bank Group restated continued support for agricultural transformation in Africa.
The two-day forum, which had the theme “Unlocking Finance for Agricultural Transformation in Africa,” brought together senior government officials, private investors, and development partners to deliberate on how to enhance agricultural value chains and productivity of smallholder farmers.
