The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has begun discussions with the African Development Bank (AfDB) on priority funding areas aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector and boosting productivity nationwide.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, hosted an AfDB Identification Mission led by Dr. Damian Ihedioha, Senior Agricultural Development Leader, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, February 6, 2026. The engagement marked the conclusion of the mission to Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday, 7th February, 2026, by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head, Press and Public Relations.
At the meeting, the Minister outlined the government’s vision to ensure year-round availability of quality feed, fodder, and sustainable water resources as a foundation for improving livestock productivity, strengthening resilience, and reducing resource-based conflicts.
Discussions focused on six strategic components proposed as priority intervention areas. These include feed, fodder, and water development to guarantee consistent access to essential inputs; animal health services to enhance disease prevention and control; and value chain development alongside animal breed improvement to boost genetic quality, value addition, and market competitiveness.
Other areas highlighted were the Livestock Enterprise Support Programme, aimed at empowering youth and women through training, starter packs, and market access; finance and insurance mechanisms to improve access to credit and livestock insurance; and institutional capacity and project coordination to strengthen implementation, monitoring, and multi-level collaboration.
The AfDB delegation expressed confidence in the proposed framework and pledged to explore viable funding options to support the Ministry’s goal of building a resilient, productive, and commercially competitive livestock sector in Nigeria.