By Stella Odueme
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has opened discussions with South African institutions and private-sector stakeholders on strategic partnerships to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector, particularly red meat production, grading, genetics and agribusiness.
The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen livestock genetics, meat production and standardisation, agribusiness development, knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
The engagement in Abuja brought together Livestock Genetics Africa Limited, Waymaker Trade Solutions of South Africa, the South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) and the North-West University Business School (NWUBS), South Africa, the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Henrietta Okokon
Speaking during the engagement on Wednesday, the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the partnership was designed to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Maiha said the initiative would support productivity, food security, economic growth, job creation and expanded market opportunities.
He said his recent tours and engagements across the country had focused largely on improving red meat production and developing a more efficient livestock value chain.
According to him, building a viable and commercially driven red meat industry requires an integrated approach covering backward integration, feedlot operations, feed and fodder production, animal health, transportation and cow-calf operations, among other areas.
“If we are going to operationalise an agro-tourism and livestock production system, we need backward integration, feedlotting, feed and fodder, animal health, transportation and cow-calf operations, among other critical components,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that knowledge exchange would form a major part of the proposed partnership, with opportunities for Nigerian students, livestock professionals and other stakeholders to undertake study visits to South Africa and gain practical experience in modern livestock production systems.
Maiha commended the South African private sector for its role in developing the country’s red meat industry, saying Nigeria had valuable lessons to learn from South Africa’s experience.
“You are the best people to talk to, and we are happy to have this conversation. We believe there is a lot to share and learn from you,” he said.
He added that Nigeria was interested in learning from South Africa’s wider livestock development ecosystem, including government policies, dairy production, feed and fodder development, pharmaceuticals, animal health, disease surveillance, logistics, management and standardisation.
The minister said the Federal Government was taking steps to modernise livestock infrastructure and create a more conducive environment for producers and investors.
These measures, he said, include the development of modern abattoirs, commissioning of veterinary hospitals, initiatives to improve livestock productivity, enhanced access to finance, reduction of trade barriers and development of other critical livestock infrastructure.
Earlier, the Manager of the North-West University Business School, Oarabile Manyaapelo, said sustained collaboration between the ministry, private-sector stakeholders, universities and industry experts from both countries could help develop a more productive, commercially viable and export-ready Nigerian red meat industry.
Manyaapelo identified genetics and nutrition as critical pillars of livestock transformation, stressing that improved genetics, appropriate nutrition and efficient production systems must work together to enhance productivity and profitability.
He also highlighted the importance of meat grading and classification in helping Nigeria access premium international markets, including those in the Middle East.
According to him, internationally recognised grading and classification systems can enhance consumer confidence, improve meat valuation and strengthen access to high-value markets.
He said the business school would also focus on developing sustainable business models capable of integrating the various components of the red meat value chain.
“The big thing for us as a business school is the business model. How do we integrate all of these variables to help reconfigure the business models in the red meat industry?” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Livestock Genetics Africa Limited, Abdulrahman Barkinfo, said the proposed collaboration offered Nigeria an opportunity to review existing approaches to cattle production and adopt improved production and business models.
He said such approaches could enable producers to raise higher-quality animals within shorter production cycles, thereby improving productivity, profitability and competitiveness.
The engagement also featured virtual presentations by key South African partners and contributions from directors, the Senior Special Assistant to the minister and other officials of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with local and international institutions as part of efforts to build a modern, productive, resilient and globally competitive livestock sector capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s food security and economic development.