By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to promote low-emission livestock production and climate-resilient farming practices as part of efforts to achieve Nigeria’s climate commitments under its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced this on Thursday during the launch of NDC 3.0 and the inauguration of the National Steering Committee for the implementation of the NDC and Net-Zero Investment Plan.
Maiha said the livestock sector was vital to food security, job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth, but faced growing threats from climate change, including droughts, flooding, water scarcity, rising temperatures and the spread of animal diseases.
He explained that the ministry was implementing a Climate-Smart Implementation Plan under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy to improve livestock productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The plan focuses on improving animal nutrition, feed efficiency, livestock genetics, animal healthcare, herd management and manure management.
According to the minister, the government is also strengthening climate adaptation through sustainable water supply, fodder development and climate-resilient feed systems in selected grazing reserves and Livestock Development Centres.
He said additional interventions included improved disease surveillance, upgraded animal health infrastructure and early-warning systems to protect livestock against climate-related risks.
To strengthen data collection and monitoring, Maiha disclosed that the ministry was developing a livestock measurement, reporting, verification and certification system and conducting a methane baseline survey.
He added that five digital weather stations had been installed to provide information on atmospheric pressure, wind speed, humidity and soil conditions for improved planning and decision-making.
The minister stressed that achieving the objectives of NDC 3.0 would require substantial investments, technological advancement and stronger partnerships.
“The success of the implementation of NDC 3.0 depends on effective mobilisation of investment, technology and partnerships, as government resources alone are insufficient to facilitate the required transformation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Professor Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, called for the integration of climate priorities into government policies, budgets, infrastructure development and investment decisions.
Akume described NDC 3.0 as a national development instrument that should guide the country’s broader economic and environmental priorities.
The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Mrs Omotenioye Majekodunmi, said Nigeria must focus on translating its climate commitments into concrete actions, investments and measurable outcomes.
“Our task today is not simply to launch another document. It is to move from ambition to delivery, from pledges to governance,” she said.
Majekodunmi explained that Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 sets an economy-wide target of reducing emissions by 32 per cent by 2035, relative to the 2018 base year, while pursuing net-zero emissions by 2060.
She emphasised the need for credible project pipelines, transparent implementation frameworks and policy certainty to attract public and private sector investments.
Also speaking, the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Gyekyewaa Attafuah, urged stakeholders to ensure that climate policies translated into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Attafuah said climate change was already affecting livelihoods through unpredictable rainfall, flooding and extreme heat, with consequences for agriculture, education, public health and economic activities.
“For many Nigerians, climate change is experienced through everyday concerns - whether the rains will sustain the harvest, whether flooded roads will prevent children from reaching school, or whether extreme heat will affect their health and ability to work,” she said.
She noted that climate action could improve food security, protect livelihoods, strengthen public health and boost business competitiveness.
Attafuah identified climate-resilient agriculture, reliable clean energy and cleaner cooking as key interventions capable of improving living standards and supporting sustainable economic development.