Chidimma Uchegbu -Abuja
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform, Prof. Attahiru Jega, have been conferred with the Honorary Fellowship Award of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) for their outstanding contributions to national development and advancement of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The conferment took place on Tuesday 28th October 2025, during the Animal Science Meeting, Induction and Exposition, jointly organised by NIAS and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) in Abuja.
In his address, Mukhtar noted that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has attracted global excitement, describing it as a major step for Africa’s livestock transformation.
He stressed that Nigeria must preserve its native livestock species while improving productivity to meet national demand for milk and meat.
“The Nigerian red meat market is worth over $3.2 billion. If we tap into this potential, we can feed our 230 million people with milk and beef from Nigerian breeds and still have enough for export,” Mukhtar said.
This was contained in the statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu.
He appreciated the NIAS for the award, describing the honour as a call to greater service, and urged researchers to link innovations to market outcomes for measurable impact.
“Research, development, and creativity must be commercialised. The solutions to feed and fodder, animal health, and breed improvement are right here among us,” he charged.
In his keynote address, the Country Representative of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Dr. Tunde Amole, noted that the livestock sector contributes 5.1 percent to GDP and called for a paradigm shift to convert challenges into opportunities.
The ceremony also featured the induction of 252 Registered Animal Scientists (RAS), including Jirgi Dorcas John, Deputy Director in charge of Feed and Fodder at the Department of Ranch and Pastoral Resources, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), and five associate members.
Registrar/CEO of NIAS, Prof. Udo Herbert, and the Chairman of the NIAS Board of Fellows, Prof. S. E. Bogoro, commended the awardees for their contributions to national development and commitment to advancing livestock science in Nigeria.
