The Federal Government and the Edo State Government have strengthened their partnership to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector with the commissioning, handover and groundbreaking of key livestock infrastructure projects aimed at boosting investment, food security and economic growth.
The projects, delivered under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, include the groundbreaking for an ultra-modern livestock processing facility in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Benin City, the commissioning of a 40-million-dose solar-powered regional cold storage facility, and the handover of a model veterinary hospital for the South-South region.
In a statement issued on Friday, by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Department, the initiatives are expected to modernise livestock production, improve animal health systems, create jobs and strengthen value chains across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony on Friday, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, described the projects as a major milestone in Edo State’s economic transformation.
He said the investments would position the state as a leading destination for livestock production, processing and agribusiness investment.
According to him, the livestock processing facility would create employment opportunities, improve livelihoods and unlock wealth across the livestock value chain.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and for siting two strategic regional facilities in Edo State, noting that the projects align with the state’s SHINE Agenda and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the Federal Government was a bold National Livestock Transformation Agenda to unlock the sector’s enormous economic potential through infrastructure, innovation and strategic partnerships.
He described livestock as a critical economic asset capable of creating millions of jobs, enhancing food security and driving industrialisation. Maiha assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to strengthen animal health systems, expand feed and fodder production, modernise livestock production, improve traceability, promote value addition and increase opportunities for women, youths and private investors.
Also speaking, Edo State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Ignatius Ikponmwosa Omorodion, said the 40-million-dose cold chain facility would serve as a major hub for vaccine storage and distribution, strengthening the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s livestock industry while enhancing food security and commercial livestock production.
National Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, described the solar-powered cold storage facility as a strategic investment that would preserve vaccine potency, improve disease prevention and support rapid response to livestock disease outbreaks nationwide.
He noted that the project would significantly improve livestock productivity, build resilience across livestock value chains and enhance institutional capacity for sustainable sector development.
The minister also held strategic engagements with livestock stakeholders, expressing confidence that the investments would stimulate Edo State’s economy by promoting the production of locally raised livestock for processing in the state’s planned ultra-modern abattoir and distribution to markets across Nigeria.