The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has proclaimed a transformative era for Nigeria’s livestock sector, driven by the Federal Government’s comprehensive reforms. These reforms are projected to significantly bolster the sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), potentially reaching 5% by 2030. This growth trajectory promises to unlock substantial economic benefits, including increased incomes for stakeholders, particularly smallholder farmers, and the creation of approximately 20,000 jobs within the initial five years of implementation. Furthermore, the reforms aim to position Nigeria as a significant player in the global livestock market, targeting high-demand regions such as the Middle East and Europe, specifically capitalizing on the burgeoning halal market estimated to exceed $1 trillion annually. The ACCI’s optimistic outlook underscores the transformative potential of these reforms to reshape the Nigerian livestock landscape.
To facilitate the realization of this vision, the ACCI is organizing the Annual National Livestock Development Summit, Trade Fair, and Exhibition, scheduled for December 1-6, 2025, at the Adetokunbo Kayode SAN Trade and Convention Centre in Abuja. This event, conceived as a “permanent dialogue mechanism” for the sector, is a collaborative effort involving the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, the Delivery Unit of the Office of the Vice President, and First Lady Concepts Consulting. The summit aims to create a platform for stakeholders across the livestock value chain to converge, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships that will drive the sector’s growth. The ACCI anticipates that the summit will serve as a catalyst for unlocking significant investments, estimated at N8 billion in its inaugural edition, further propelling the sector’s development.
The anticipated economic gains extend beyond the macro-level GDP contribution. Smallholder farmers, a crucial segment of the livestock sector, are expected to benefit significantly from improved market access, facilitated by digital platforms. These platforms are designed to reduce the influence of intermediaries, ensuring fairer pricing mechanisms and potentially increasing farmers’ incomes by up to 40%. This focus on empowering smallholder farmers aligns with the broader objective of inclusive growth and poverty reduction within the agricultural sector. Moreover, the reforms aim to address the persistent issue of herder-farmer conflicts through the implementation of alternative dispute resolution frameworks. This strategic intervention seeks to mitigate tensions and reduce conflict incidents by 25% within two years, fostering a more peaceful and productive environment for all stakeholders.
Beyond economic considerations, the reforms also address critical social and environmental challenges. The initiative aims to enhance food and nutrition security, directly supporting President Tinubu’s directive to provide school children with a daily egg and a cup of milk. This targeted intervention seeks to combat malnutrition and stunted growth, contributing to a healthier and more productive future generation. Environmentally, the reforms promote sustainable practices such as regenerative grazing, carbon sequestration, and water conservation, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change threats. The reforms also prioritize the empowerment of women and youth, recognizing their significant contribution as they constitute 70% of the agricultural workforce. This focus on inclusivity aims to unlock the full potential of these demographic groups, driving further growth and development within the sector.
The technical aspects of the reforms are equally comprehensive, encompassing vaccine development to minimize livestock disease losses by 50%, the adoption of precision farming techniques to enhance yields, and the optimization of the entire value chain. This includes improvements in cold chain logistics and the modernization of abattoirs, aiming to drastically reduce post-harvest losses from the current 40% to below 10%. This multifaceted approach seeks to enhance efficiency and productivity across all stages of the livestock value chain, maximizing returns and minimizing waste.
The upcoming National Livestock Development Summit, Trade Fair, and Exhibition is designed to showcase these transformative initiatives and provide a platform for further engagement and collaboration. The summit will feature a diverse range of activities, including policy dialogues, technical workshops, investment deal rooms, and an innovation challenge with grants of up to N50 million. Over 200 exhibitors are expected to participate, showcasing livestock, technologies, equipment, and products, creating a dynamic marketplace for knowledge sharing, networking, and investment opportunities. The ACCI extends an invitation to all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, civil society organizations, and international partners, to participate in this pivotal event and contribute to the realization of a vibrant and sustainable livestock sector in Nigeria. The ACCI firmly believes that these collective efforts will transform challenges into triumphs for generations to come.
