FG, Donors Launch Unified Livestock Investment Working Group to Boost Sector Growth.
By Raymond Enoch
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), in collaboration with key development partners, has inaugurated a Livestock Sector Donor Working Group (LDWG) to enhance coordination, mobilize resources, and align donor interventions with Nigeria’s national livestock priorities. The initiative was unveiled during the Donor and Development Partners’ Workshop on Livestock Development, held in Abuja on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, under the theme: “Strengthening Strategic Partnerships for Livestock Transformation.”
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, emphasized that the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) provides a roadmap to expand the livestock sector’s GDP contribution from $32 billion to at least $74 billion by 2035. He explained that the strategy, recently approved by the National Economic Council, is built on ten strategic pillars designed to remove systemic bottlenecks and attract large-scale private investment.
Maiha also highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to welcome international investors, noting ongoing discussions with major global players, including JBS, one of the world’s largest meat processors, for a potential $2.5 billion investment in the sector.
“At the G20 Summit last year in Brazil, Nigeria secured commitments from leading Brazilian livestock companies, including JBS. Since our visit, I have also engaged with several other markets to expand investment opportunities,” the Minister said.
“Our goal is to articulate a clear mission and vision at the macro level, establish a formal engagement framework with global partners, harmonize development-oriented programmes for greater impact and efficiency, and mobilize resources, technology, and expertise to drive sustainable growth in the livestock sector.”
In her remarks, Permanent Secretary Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi described the creation of the LDWG as a “practical step” toward aligning donor programmes with the NL-GAS framework, ensuring better coordination and measurable impact.
Delivering a goodwill message, the FAO Country Representative, Dr. Hussein Gadain, commended the Ministry for providing strategic leadership in advancing livestock transformation and reaffirmed FAO’s support for the NL-GAS to strengthen sustainable food systems and livelihoods. Similarly, the Programme Manager of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Dr. Temitayo Omole, applauded the Ministry’s renewed focus on livestock health and productivity and pledged continued EU support, particularly in strengthening disease surveillance and control systems, with an emphasis on eradicating Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
The establishment of the LDWG is expected to streamline donor engagement, improve programme efficiency, and accelerate private-sector investment in Nigeria’s livestock industry, which remains a critical driver of food security, employment, and economic growth.
