The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled new measures to tackle the influence of middlemen in the livestock sector, as part of wider reforms aimed at improving food affordability and strengthening value chain efficiency.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during the maiden edition of the Minister–Livestock Farmers’ Connect held on March 24, 2026.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, 24th March, 2026, by Ogochukwu Igboamalu, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Information.
He identified the dominance of intermediaries as a key factor driving price distortions and artificial scarcity, noting that producers often earn less while middlemen take larger profits.
According to the minister, the government is promoting direct linkages between producers and processors, abattoirs, and large-scale buyers to ensure fair pricing and improved market transparency.
He also announced plans to introduce a live-weight pricing system for livestock, aligning Nigeria with global best practices and eliminating inefficiencies associated with arbitrary pricing.
Maiha highlighted untapped investment opportunities across the sector, including pasture seed production, fodder supply, dairy aggregation, leather processing and livestock by-products. He noted that these areas offer significant potential for job creation, particularly for young people.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transitioning from open grazing to more structured livestock production systems to improve productivity, reduce conflict and enhance animal health management.
He further revealed that Nigeria’s growing fodder market has strong export potential, especially to Gulf countries, while the leather industry could generate up to 700,000 jobs if fully developed.
On financing, Maiha pointed to funding opportunities through the Bank of Agriculture, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, and the Development Bank of Nigeria, alongside intervention programmes supported by the World Bank.
He stressed the importance of proper business planning and clear off-take arrangements to attract investment.
Addressing security concerns, the minister announced plans to deploy digital livestock tagging and traceability systems to curb cattle rustling and improve animal tracking, with pilot schemes expected in selected states within six months.
In a move to enhance digital transformation, he disclosed that a Livestock Public Digital Infrastructure platform will soon be launched to provide stakeholders with access to data, investment opportunities and direct engagement with the ministry.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and stakeholder engagement in shaping livestock policies.
The forum, organised in partnership with Farm Alert and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, is expected to become a regular platform for collaboration and reform in Nigeria’s livestock industry.