The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, has declared the association’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a major achievement of his administration.

Ngelzarma said pastoralists, cattle breeders and other livestock stakeholders across the country were willing to support Tinubu for a second term in recognition of his administration’s attention to the economic importance of the livestock industry.

He made the declaration at a rally organised in Kaduna by the Fulbe APC Forum and Tinubu Yeso-Yeso Political Forum (TYPF), in collaboration with the Coalition of Pastoralists and Traders Associations and the Amalgamated Union of Livestock Dealers, Butchers and other stakeholders.

The rally, themed “United for Inclusion, Representation and Prosperity,” attracted Fulani organisations, pastoralists, cattle breeders, livestock dealers, butchers, processors and political stakeholders from different parts of the country.

Ngelzarma explained that the establishment of the livestock ministry in July 2024 fulfilled a demand that pastoralists and livestock operators had pursued for several decades.

He said the creation of a dedicated ministry was necessary to address longstanding challenges affecting the sector and provide an institutional framework for its development.

He added that the initiative had encouraged some state governments to establish similar ministries to coordinate livestock-related activities.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, urged pastoralists, livestock farmers and other industry stakeholders to take advantage of government programmes to increase productivity, expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Maiha identified inadequate veterinary services, limited access to grazing land and water, high animal feed costs, poor market infrastructure and low productivity as major obstacles to the development of Nigeria’s livestock industry.

He disclosed that Nigeria had an estimated 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 70 million sheep, 9.3 million pigs, 3.2 million donkeys, 700,000 camels and 300 million birds.

According to him, the figures represented significant economic opportunities that could be harnessed through deliberate investments and improved management of the sector.

The minister further revealed that seven veterinary hospitals had been completed and equipped under a World Bank-supported programme, while additional facilities were at different stages of completion.

He said the Federal Government was planning to expand veterinary services across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with primary veterinary facilities also proposed for all 774 local government areas.

Maiha challenged livestock associations to collaborate with the ministry and state governments within three months to identify challenges affecting their members and develop practical proposals for investment and improved service delivery.

He also disclosed that the government was working to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in regional and international livestock markets through improved animal health standards, animal traceability systems and market infrastructure.

Addressing recurring conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, the minister emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence, dialogue and responsible management of land and water resources.

He maintained that sustainable livestock development would depend on harmonious relationships between farming and pastoral communities.

He also encouraged young Nigerians to consider livestock production as a viable business capable of creating employment opportunities and generating wealth.

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said the state government was complementing the Federal Government’s efforts through investments in livestock infrastructure and services.

Dabo disclosed that Kaduna State’s budgetary allocation to livestock development had increased from ₦1.48 billion in 2023 to more than ₦100 billion in 2026.

He said the state government had provided solar-powered water facilities in pastoralist communities, expanded livestock vaccination programmes and introduced artificial insemination services to improve animal productivity.

According to him, improved feeding and breeding practices had increased milk production among some cattle from approximately 1.5 litres to between three and four litres.

He added that the government was also upgrading slaughter facilities and improving infrastructure across the livestock value chain to strengthen production, processing and marketing.