George George Idowu
The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST) Professor Mohammed Yakubu, said the creation of the Ministry for Livestock Development by President Tinubu will boost Nigerian economy and tackle pressing security challenges.
In an interview in Abuja, Prof. Yakubu praised the establishment of the ministry, describing it as a strategic move to harness the full potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry.
He emphasized that this decision would have a far-reaching impact on economic growth while addressing long-standing issues such as banditry and herder-farmer conflicts.
“The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development is a welcome development and we have to thank President Bola Tinubu for this foresight, because it is going to solve many problems and kill two birds with one stone,” Yakubu said.
He highlighted that the ministry would oversee the proper exploitation of the livestock value chain, which would enhance foreign exchange earnings and create job opportunities for skilled artisans.
In his words: “The development of the value chain begins with animal husbandry. The best way to rear an animal to get hides and skin of the best quality can only be achieved if we have a ministry that looks into that from the area of science and technology.”
Prof. Yakubu further expressed NILEST’s readiness to collaborate with the new ministry, particularly in the area of hides and skins, which are key products of the meat industry.
He noted that hides and skins represent about 15% of the total value of an animal, and when processed, they can contribute significantly to the economy.
“By the time you get the outer part of the animal and work it up, you will sell it at a price which is almost 20 to 30 percent of the entire cost of the animal,” he said.
The NILEST Director-General also pointed out that the leather industry in Nigeria already generates over $3 billion and holds enormous potential for growth.
He called on all stakeholders and Nigerians to support the government in ensuring the successful take-off of the ministry.
Prof. Yakubu concluded by stressing the importance of focused research and development within the new ministry to unlock further value from the livestock industry, saying, “We are interested in how the animal is reared, at what age do we get the best hides and skin. So, there must be a department in that ministry which will look into this aspect.”
With the ministry’s establishment, Nigeria is poised to maximize its livestock resources, contributing to both economic stability and enhanced national security.