Chidimma Uchegbu -Abuja
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Murkta Maiha, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s agricultural and livestock sectors as a pathway to ensuring food security, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and driving economic diversification.
Speaking at the Africa Agriculture Dialogue 2025 held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving this goal.
“To unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector, we must improve access to finance, technology, and knowledge,” Maiha stated. “This is why our collaboration with the African Development Bank and other stakeholders—including herders and processors—is critical in ensuring inclusive participation across the agricultural value chain.”
This was contained in the statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, The Minister highlighted the significance of the Dialogue as a key initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that agriculture, and particularly the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, are central to the administration’s transformation efforts.
Referencing international examples, Maiha noted, “Countries like Denmark and Ghana, which are less endowed than Nigeria, have successfully transformed their agricultural sectors. With focus, innovation, and strong institutions, there is no reason Nigeria cannot achieve even greater success.”
He further stressed the comprehensive value of the livestock sector, stating, “There is no waste in the animal kingdom. From meat to dairy, leather to by-products, every component has economic value. Our task is to build systems that convert these opportunities into sustainable businesses.”
The Minister concluded by calling for increased strategic investments and public-private partnerships to build a profitable and inclusive agricultural economy.
In her remarks, the Consul General of Denmark, Honourable Jette Bjerrum, emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and partnership. She stated that Denmark is committed to demonstrating practical solutions and supporting risk mitigation through financing and collaboration.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Li Zhensheng, Chairman of the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Centre, expressed readiness to support Nigeria’s livestock development efforts. He identified irrigation as a major challenge and announced plans to introduce China’s water conservation technologies to enable year-round farming.
Dr. Abdul Kamara, representative of the African Development Bank Group, assured participants of the Bank’s continued support for agricultural transformation across the African continent.
In his earlier opening remarks,the Embed Advisor Agriculture African Development Bank (AFDB) Richard – Mark Mbaram noted that Africa’s agricultural success depends on how well government,private investors,and development institutions align their interventions to empower small holder farmers, enhance value chains and ensure that agricultural growth translates into real socio-economic progress.
The two-day programme, themed “Unlocking Finance for Agricultural Transformation in Africa”, brought together key stakeholders from across the agricultural ecosystem.
