The consumption of hide and skin, commonly known as Ponmo is costing Nigeria at least N23 billion annually and depriving the country of approximately 700,000 jobs, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha,has said.
He disclosed this on Friday at the commencement of the 2025 ministerial press briefing, hosted by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
He said that the ministry has put in place machinery to transform the country’s Livestock industry.
Maiha disclosed that the Ministry is committed to diversifying Nigeria’s economy and increasing its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product to 10 percent from 5 percent by 2030.
He said: “It is estimated that Nigeria’s livestock sector is valued at over 33 trillion, making it one of the most significant, yet underutilized, economic assets in the country. We have one of the largest livestock population in Africa, a rapidly expanding market for meat and dairy products, and a strategic location for exports.
“However, poor infrastructure, inadequate investment, outdated production methods, and persistent conflicts between farmers and herders have prevented the sector from reaching its full potential.
“Recognising these challenges and the enormous opportunities, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development on July 9, 2024 to drive a new era of transformation, innovation and sustainable growth. Our mandate extends far beyond traditional livestock management. We are here to diversify the economy, drive industrialization, strengthen private sector participation, and secure Nigeria future in the global agricultural market.
“Over the past few months, we have laid the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth . Our goal is for Nigeria’s livestock sector to become a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current 5 percent to 10 percent by 2030, creating millions of jobs, and producing sufficient meat , dairy and other animal products to not only meet domestic demand, but also compete in the global market.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is therefore, committed to delivering real and measurable progress that translates into better opportunities for livestock producers, more jobs for Nigerians , greater food security, and a stronger economy.”
Maiha said the ministry will position Nigeria, a key player in both domestic and international markets for animal protein like Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.
He noted that the ministry will reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector to generate over 500,000 new jobs helping to reduce unemployment and drive rural economic growth by 2027.
He said the ministry is already engaging stakeholders, including traditional rulers, development partners, and foreign embassies, to raise awareness of the sector’s potential.
The minister further announced that Nigeria has forged strategic partnerships with international investors, agencies, and diplomatic missions to secure technical expertise, financing, and investment in the livestock industry. Partner countries include Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to Maiha, these collaborations will focus on opportunities in meat processing, dairy production, animal health, feed production, and cold-chain logistics.
“These partnerships will be instrumental in positioning Nigeria as a regional and global hub for livestock production and export,” he stated.
He disclosed that the ministry is addressing challenges of poor infrastructure affecting the sector , by revamping grazing reserves nationwide, equipping them with feed and fodder facilities, water resources, veterinary services, and schools for pastoral families.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized that the briefing session serves as a platform to showcase the achievements of the Tinubu Administration across various sectors of the economy.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the second edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series. As you may recall, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, I inaugurated this year’s series by highlighting key successes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He noted that the Ministries of Livestock Development and Regional Development are the latest additions by President Tinubu, established to harness the vast potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry and to drive regional development across the six geo-political zones.
“These two Ministries happen to be the newest in the country. The Ministry of Livestock Development was created in July 2024, to transform Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar livestock potential into actual economic prosperity for Nigerians, while the Ministry of Regional Development was created in October 2024, to oversee the activities of the country’s regional development commissions. These two Ministers have since hit the ground running, and they are here today to shed more light on what they have been working on since the creation of their Ministries,” he said.
He commended the media for their dedication in covering the ministerial briefing sessions, describing them as invaluable partners in informing Nigerians. He urged journalists to uphold accuracy and fairness in their reporting.
