By Farida Salifu
The federal government plans to increase the value of Nigeria’s livestock industry by about 130 percent, targeting growth from $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035.
This feat is to be achieved through empowering young agripreneurs and embracing technology.
Announcing the ambitious goal at the grand finals of the AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria 2025 in Abuja recently, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, revealed that the recently approved National Livestock Growth Strategy is to facilitate the achievement.
The strategy focuses on modernising the sector and tapping into the vast opportunities available to Nigeria’s youthful population.
The AYuTe Africa Challenge, organised by Heifer International, is an innovation competition designed to support young agribusiness entrepreneurs who use technology to solve challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
Related Posts
This platform reflects the government’s broader agenda of involving youth in agricultural modernization.
“The young innovators competing here will play key roles in implementing the growth strategy,” Maiha said, highlighting the government’s commitment to collaboration with development partners like Heifer International.
Dr. Lekan Tobe, Heifer International’s Nigeria Country Director, noted a surge in participation this year, with over 1,000 applications narrowed down to 50 finalists and five winners. Apart from prize money, finalists receive mentorship, access to financing, and market support—resources critical for scaling their impact.
The competition’s top winner, Seyi Alabi of Crop2Cash, took home $20,000, while runners-up Aisha Rilwanu Sidi of Grabb 247 and Deborah Oigocho of Erido Agro received $12,000 and $8,000 respectively.
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, underlined the need for a strong partnership among government, private sector, and development agencies to achieve national food security.
He praised initiatives like AYuTe for making agriculture attractive and technologically driven for the new generation.
With livestock accounting for a significant share of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, the integration of innovative youth-led solutions and government-backed policies is set to accelerate sector growth, create jobs, and strengthen food supply chains nationwide.
