Nigeria’s livestock industry is gaining significant international attention, with Egypt and Denmark showing strong interest in collaborating to enhance the sector’s development.
During a courtesy visit to Alhaji Idi Muktar Maiha, Nigeria’s pioneer Minister of Livestock Development, Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Fouad expressed his country’s readiness to partner with Nigeria. Fouad highlighted Egypt’s expertise in areas such as breeding, feed production, and animal health, which could be instrumental in modernizing Nigeria’s livestock industry.
Similarly, Danish Ambassador Jens Ole Bach Hansen led a delegation of executives from prominent Danish livestock companies operating in Nigeria to engage with the Ministry. The envoy lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, noting that it demonstrates a strategic approach to addressing Nigeria’s needs.
Peder Pederson, Managing Director of Arla Foods, a key player in Nigeria’s dairy sector, emphasized the immense investment potential of the country’s vast market of over 200 million people. Pederson highlighted Arla’s contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural sector and proposed incorporating dairy products, such as milk, into the national school feeding program to boost nutrition and create demand for locally produced dairy.
In response to Denmark’s overtures, Ambassador Hansen invited Minister Maiha and his team to Denmark to experience the country’s advanced livestock systems firsthand, promising an enriching exchange.
Minister Maiha expressed Nigeria’s enthusiasm for collaborations that would diversify and modernize the livestock sector, aligning with the Ministry’s goals of establishing advanced laboratories, improving indigenous breeds, and achieving feed and fodder sufficiency.
Maiha restated the government’s commitment to develop a thriving livestock sector that promotes food security, creates jobs, and draws attracts foreign investment.
He described the establishment of the Livestock Ministry as a testament to President Tinubu’s determination to reposition the sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s economic development.
This growing international interest in Nigeria’s livestock industry signals a promising future for the sector as a hub for innovation and investment.
