The Federal Government has announced plans to set up cattle breeding centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of a broader effort to overhaul livestock production and strengthen national food security.
The initiative, unveiled during a midterm policy review event in Kaduna, was disclosed by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.
The centres, he said, will serve as modern livestock hubs, aiming to transition Nigeria from traditional pastoral practices to more structured and sustainable animal husbandry systems.
Speaking on Day 2 of the Citizens-Government Engagement and Midterm Assessment of the Tinubu Administration, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Abdullahi emphasised that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural revitalisation.
“The synergy between the ministries of agriculture, environment, water resources, livestock development, and the marine and blue economy is crucial to achieving our goals,” Abdullahi noted.
He added that the centres will not only modernise livestock production but also help address persistent farmer-herder clashes by providing a more settled and economic-based alternative to open grazing.
The development was also shared on social media by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector as a key driver of economic growth and national stability.
For years, Nigeria has grappled with recurring violence stemming from clashes between farmers and pastoralists—often over land and grazing routes. Recent attacks in states like Plateau, Benue, and Kwara have reignited calls for sustainable solutions.
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In response, the National Economic Council (NEC) earlier in April had raised alarm over what it described as an “outdated and unsustainable” livestock rearing model. The council called for urgent steps toward modern practices.
“Council emphasised the fact that we cannot continue to live in the past, and we must now work towards modernising livestock production in Nigeria,” Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri told journalists following the NEC meeting.
Experts believe that a national cattle breeding programme could serve multiple objectives—from curbing insecurity and preventing displacement, to improving Nigeria’s meat and dairy output and reducing import dependence.
If successfully implemented, the plan could also serve as a blueprint for regional livestock policy, especially as West Africa continues to battle similar challenges involving land use, climate change, and nomadic migration.
As Nigeria’s food security continues to face internal and global pressures, this cattle breeding initiative may mark a pivotal step in achieving a more resilient and inclusive agricultural future.