President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assures Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to reform the livestock sector towards improving security and the economy sector. The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Ganduje said this after the presentation of the report on Livestock Reforms by the Presidential Committee on Thursday

Ganduje said the committee also solicited the establishment of a Ministry of Livestock Development in the federal and subnational tiers of government. He said the ministry would allow for an efficient and consistent education of herders on new technology as well as the development of the sector. The committee is made up of eminent Nigerians, chaired by Prof. Attahiru Jega, with members from the organized private sector and academia.

It also has practicing pastoralists and farmers, representatives of farming and pastoralist communities, civil society organizations, and specialists in various fields of livestock development and conflict management. The livestock sub-sector is an integral part of food security and national development in Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates that the sub-sector contributes one-third of the 21% of the GDP of the agricultural sector to the national economy.

Ganduje said the proposals would enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, promote environmental conservation, address substantial causes of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, and help in reducing the high cost of imports of animal products.

‘’There are clear strategies for ensuring inclusion and benefits for all Nigerians devoid of any political, ethnic, or regional biases.

‘’It is a strict development document suitable for guiding federal, State, and local government administrations on how best to promote the industry, enhance the quality of lives of the citizens, and promote peaceful coexistence and social harmony,” he said.