The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has disclosed that about 85 per cent of Nigeria’s livestock population is located in the northern part of the country, highlighting the region’s strategic importance to the nation’s agricultural economy.
Maiha stated this while delivering his goodwill message at the Arewa Media Summit held in Kano on Monday.
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The Minister stated that the concentration of such a significant proportion of livestock in the North presents a unique opportunity for targeted investment and policy direction. He noted that this reality should guide government planning, infrastructure development, and private sector participation in order to fully harness the sector’s potential.
Building on this, the minister emphasized the urgent need to develop modern abattoirs across the region to support the large livestock base. He explained that improved slaughter and processing facilities would enhance meat quality, reduce waste, and strengthen the livestock value chain.
According to him, aligning abattoir development with the 85 per cent livestock concentration would not only boost local production but also position Nigeria to access wider markets, generate employment, and increase revenue from the sector.
