By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria’s new livestock development policy is setting its sights on one of the country’s most overlooked agricultural challenges, animal feed.
Rather than focusing solely on herd expansion or meat production, the policy places feed and fodder systems at the centre of a broader strategy to combat malnutrition, raise farm productivity, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global livestock value chain.
Unveiled at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators in Rome, Italy, the initiative marks the first time Nigeria is formally linking livestock feed security to national food and nutrition security.
At the forum, Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the new approach would “move livestock from survival-based rearing to a structured, science-driven industry capable of feeding the nation and earning foreign exchange.”
Experts say the move could transform the sector by addressing one of its biggest inefficiencies — poor-quality feed. Studies show that feed accounts for up to 70 per cent of livestock production costs in Nigeria, often due to inconsistent supply and heavy reliance on imported ingredients.
The new framework, according to the Presidency, seeks to unlock domestic feed resources through research, investment incentives, and partnerships with private sector players.
It also promotes climate-smart feed production systems, such as drought-tolerant forage crops and alternative protein sources like insect meal and agro-waste derivatives.
“The policy is designed to turn livestock farming into a technology-driven enterprise,” Maiha said, adding that it would also encourage digital tools for feed monitoring, traceability, and disease control.
Analysts say the focus on feed quality could have far-reaching effects on public health and nutrition. By improving livestock yields and product quality, Nigeria could expand access to affordable protein sources — a major step toward tackling the country’s malnutrition burden.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that protein deficiency affects one in three Nigerians, particularly in rural communities dependent on low-yield livestock systems.
If effectively implemented, the policy could also enhance export potential for Nigerian livestock products, as global demand for traceable, high-quality animal protein continues to rise.
Beyond feed, the policy integrates job creation, youth training, and rural infrastructure development, positioning livestock as a pathway for inclusive economic growth.
Observers say the initiative’s success will depend on coordinated execution among ministries, state governments, and private investors, as well as sustained funding for feed research and quality control systems.