Nigeria Imports 65% of Livestock Despite Huge Local Potential

Nigeria still imports about 65 percent of the livestock consumed annually, despite having the natural resources to produce far more locally, according to the country’s livestock development minister.

Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, disclosed this while defending his ministry’s 2026 budget before lawmakers at the National Assembly. His revelation highlights a major gap between Nigeria’s agricultural potential and its current production capacity.

The minister noted that the livestock sector alone has the potential to generate up to ₦3.2 billion in red meat export value, suggesting that Nigeria could not only meet domestic demand but also earn foreign exchange if properly developed.

However, the country’s continued reliance on imports means billions of naira leave the economy annually, weakening efforts to diversify beyond oil.

Funding Shortfalls Crippling the Ministry’s Plans

Maiha also revealed that poor funding has severely limited the ministry’s ability to operate effectively since its creation in 2024 under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Out of the ₦70 billion approved as a takeoff fund in 2024, only ₦20 billion was released. Even more concerning, the ₦10 billion capital allocation approved for 2025 was not released at all.

This lack of funding has slowed projects meant to boost livestock production, improve infrastructure, and reduce dependence on imports.

Without adequate investment, Nigeria’s livestock sector remains underdeveloped, despite strong demand for meat and dairy products.

Lawmakers Express Shock, Suspect Sabotage

Members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development reacted strongly to the revelations, describing the funding situation as unacceptable.

Some lawmakers said the government was paying “lip service” to livestock development, despite creating a dedicated ministry to drive diversification.

Senator Abdul Ningi suggested the poor funding could be the result of internal sabotage and called for urgent intervention from the presidency. Lawmakers also urged the committee leadership to communicate directly with President Tinubu to address the issue.

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They warned that creating a ministry without providing adequate funding undermines the goal of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenue.

Diversification Seen as Critical to Economic Stability

Committee chairman Buba Shehu emphasised that Nigeria cannot rely on a single sector, particularly oil, to sustain its economy.

He pointed out that countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Belgium have built strong livestock industries that contribute significantly to national income and exports.

Nigeria, with its vast land and large population, has similar potential but requires serious investment, policy consistency, and infrastructure development.

If properly funded and managed, the livestock sector could create millions of jobs, reduce import dependence, improve food security, and generate export revenue.

For now, however, Nigeria remains heavily reliant on imported livestock, highlighting both a challenge and a missed economic opportunity.