George George Idowu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a significant rejig of his cabinet, has appointed Idi Mukhtar Maiha as the pioneer Minister of the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development is a landmark move in the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which targets livestock development as another driver of economic growth in Nigeria.
Recall that earlier this year, NatureNews reported the government’s plans to establish the Livestock ministry, underscoring the administration’s focus on reforming Nigeria’s livestock sector for food security and conflict transformation.
Speaking at a two-day consultative workshop on Livestock Reforms held at the State House Conference Centre on Thursday, President Tinubu emphasised the importance of the sector, noting that it will no longer be neglected.
He highlighted the nation’s vast livestock resources, including 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, and 124 million goats, but lamented the country’s low output of animal products.
“The livestock sector is critical, and we will give all it needs to bring value to our country,” Tinubu said. “We can bring prosperity to our people. We can feed our children. From grass, we can achieve grace.”
In the same vein, the president praised the work of the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, led by Prof. Attahiru Jega and Prof. Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, for their efforts in repositioning the livestock industry.
He also acknowledged key stakeholders, including Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for their roles in advancing the livestock reforms.
President Tinubu expressed optimism that the reforms would transform the livestock industry into a commercialised sector contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), creating jobs, and improving food security.
He also thanked the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) for their support, with Chairman Abdulrahman Abdulrazak pledging the subnational governments’ full cooperation to make the reforms a success.
Before the livestock sector reforms conference, President Tinubu had on Wednesday announced a major cabinet reshuffle in which he sacked five ministers, nominated seven new cabinet members, abolished two ministries and redeployed other Ministers.
The president’s decision, according to a presidency source, was aimed at enhancing the administration’s efficiency and delivering on the promises made to Nigerians.
The new cabinet members include: Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (Minister of Labour), Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Minister of State, Foreign Affairs), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development), Suwaiba Said Ahmad PhD (Minister of State, Education), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction), Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), and Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
The ministers dropped are: Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Minister of Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Minister of Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman (Minister of Education), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development).
President Tinubu thanked the ministers who were dropped and urged the newly appointed members to approach their roles with dedication and a commitment to Nigeria’s growth. He emphasised that the administration’s focus remains on irreversible progress for the country.
“The time to act is now. We are determined to set Nigeria on the path to sustained growth, and every appointee must give their best in pursuit of the administration’s priorities,” Tinubu said.
The cabinet reshuffle comes as Tinubu continues to position his government to tackle key national challenges, with the livestock sector reform serving as a critical component of his new economic diversification strategy.