…Says Nigeria must stop transporting livestock over long distances —
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has called for an end to the transportation of live animals over long distances for slaughter, urging the establishment of modern abattoirs close to livestock production centres.
Mr Maiha said the practice resulted in avoidable losses, including animal deaths, road accidents and other challenges associated with the country’s livestock supply system.
The minister spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Animal Science Meeting, organised by the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).
He said the Federal Government was already establishing standard abattoirs in Edo and Plateau states as part of efforts to transform livestock production and processing.
“We must change the narrative and transform livestock farming in Nigeria. We cannot continue transporting animals thousands of kilometres when we can process them closer to production centres,” he said.
According to him, modern abattoirs would create employment opportunities, improve meat processing and ensure better utilisation of livestock resources.
Maiha said the facilities would also enable the collection and processing of animal by-products, including blood, bones, hides and hooves, which could generate additional revenue for the country.
He urged Nigeria to embrace modern livestock production and processing practices, citing Brazil as an example of a country with a competitive meat processing industry.
The minister said Nigeria had the resources, expertise and human capital required to transform the sector, calling for stronger collaboration among researchers, animal scientists, government and private investors.
In his keynote address, Chidozie Onyedikachi Anyiro, an agricultural economist with the World Bank’s Agriculture and Food Global Practice, said Nigeria spent an estimated $1.5bn annually on dairy imports despite its enormous livestock resources.
Anyiro described the expenditure as a major economic opportunity being lost, stressing that Nigeria needed to improve livestock productivity rather than merely increase the number of animals.
