Nigerian Government Unveils Master Plan to Grow Livestock Sector

In a bid to tackle the challenges facing the livestock sector, the Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the National Livestock Master Plan (M-LMP). The initiative aims to attract investment from government development partners and the private sector, thereby driving expansion within the industry.

The plan was developed by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The presentation was formally made to the Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja by L-PRES officials.

According to stakeholders, the plan serves as a strategic roadmap for transforming the livestock sector. It is expected to contribute about 17 per cent to agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5 per cent to the national GDP. The sector is vital, as millions of Nigerians depend on livestock for their livelihoods, while it also plays a key role in meeting the nation’s protein requirements.