The Federal Government has launched a major rebranding of Nigeria’s livestock sector through innovation, technology and modern agricultural practices, saying the initiative is aimed at attracting more young Nigerians into the industry and unlocking its enormous economic potential.
It stated that the new measure would move the livestock industry away from traditional practices and reposition it as a modern, technology-driven and profitable sector capable of creating jobs, strengthening food security and expanding economic opportunities for the youth.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Saturday in Kano while delivering a keynote address at the Arewa Agric and Innovation Summit 2026.
He said the summit, which attracted young people from across the North and other parts of the country, provided an opportunity to showcase innovative ideas and explore new solutions to longstanding challenges in agriculture.
According to the minister, the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu’s administration represented a major turning point in the history of the sector.
He noted that such a development had not occurred in the country’s 64-year history, describing it as a deliberate step towards transforming livestock production and developing the entire value chain.
“Now, the agriculture sector is beckoning the youths. We are rebranding the sector,” Maiha said.
He explained that the government’s vision was to discard the perception of agriculture and livestock farming as labour-intensive occupations associated with poverty and adopt modern systems that could attract a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors.
The minister said the government was working to unlock opportunities across the livestock value chain “from lab to land, from grass to glass,” with emphasis on improved productivity, processing and commercialisation.
He said the reforms would promote modern practices such as improved processing, feedlots, ranching and cow-calf operations, while technology-driven livestock management systems would be deployed to boost efficiency.
Maiha said digital technologies, including herd management platforms and drones fitted with high-definition sensors, could be used to monitor animal growth, pasture conditions, soil temperature and water stress.
He added that the effective deployment of technology could help farmers make better decisions, improve animal health and increase productivity across the sector.
The minister maintained that Nigeria’s livestock industry had the capacity to support a growing economy, particularly as demand for animal-sourced protein continues to rise.
He said government was also focusing on strengthening the wider livestock value chain through improved abattoir operations, dairy processing, tannery development and leather and footwear production.
“We are talking about consciously feeding Nigerians. We are talking about food security. This is what the Agri Summit is all about,” he said.
Maiha also challenged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the opportunities emerging from the government’s agricultural reforms, urging them to move beyond seeing agriculture only as farming.
“This country belongs to the youths, and that is why we are here to tell them: wake up, get up, move up, rise, learn to settle and take up the driver’s seat,” he said.
Earlier, the co-chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, Prof. Attahiru Jega, called on stakeholders to make innovation and entrepreneurship central to the transformation of agriculture.
Jega, who also chaired the summit, said the event was designed to convert the growing interest of young Nigerians in agriculture into practical skills, businesses and sustainable economic opportunities.
He said findings from the Youth Opportunity Summit held in seven states across three geopolitical zones had revealed strong interest among youths and women in agriculture and related enterprises.
Jega disclosed that 200 emerging agricpreneurs had benefited from a five-day pre-summit capacity-building programme designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to develop viable ventures.
He commended the organisers, including the Office of the Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Women, Youth Engagement and Impact, for promoting agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
Also speaking, the convener of the summit and Technical Adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima on Women, Youth Engagement and Impact, Hauwa Liman, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to programmes aimed at empowering youths and women.
Liman said the summit was designed to connect young Nigerians with tools, networks and support systems capable of helping them transform their ideas into practical and commercially viable solutions.
She urged young Nigerians to explore opportunities in agriculture, technology and other emerging sectors, stressing that agriculture offered prospects beyond crop and livestock production.
According to her, areas such as logistics, processing, marketing, technology and entrepreneurship also offered significant opportunities for young people.
She said tapping into these opportunities would not only create jobs and wealth but could also position Northern Nigeria and the country as a major hub for agricultural innovation and enterprise.
