In a speech delivered on October 24, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s vast but underutilized livestock resources, emphasizing the need for renewed focus on the sector.
He noted that Nigeria leads West Africa with 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 60 million sheep, and 16 million pigs. However, despite this immense potential, the country faces significant challenges in utilizing these resources to their full capacity.
“A country of over 200 million people and we cannot serve our children one pint of milk in a classroom per day? That is not right,” President Tinubu remarked, calling attention to the lack of adequate investments in livestock over the years.
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He also highlighted the impact of the livestock sector’s neglect on Nigeria’s economy, particularly the importation of milk and dairy products, which costs the nation between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion annually.
President Tinubu called for collective action, urging stakeholders to recognize the economic opportunities within the livestock sector and to work together to rejuvenate the industry. “Yes, we can do it. We can bring prosperity to our people. We can feed our children. From grass, we can achieve grace,” he said, stressing that the sector holds great potential for contributing to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating decent jobs.
The President’s remarks signal a new commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry into a major driver of national growth and prosperity.
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