Nigeria’s livestock sector is attracting significant international attention, with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Denmark expressing overwhelming interest in partnering with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to drive transformation and growth.
While congratulating the pioneer Minister of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muktar Maiha, on his appointment, Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Fouad, highlighted his country’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in modernising the livestock sector.
The proposed partnership is targeted towards leveraging Egypt’s expertise to advance key areas such as breeding, feed production, and animal health.
Also, the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, led a high-level delegation, including Chief Executives of Danish leading livestock companies operating in Nigeria, on a working visit to the Ministry.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the ministry, Ambassador Hansen said, “The creation of the ministry is indicative of a deep understanding of the needs of Nigeria and the strategic vision to address them.”.
Also speaking during the working visit after an elaborate presentation, the Managing Director of Arla Foods, Mr Peder Pederson, said Nigeria’s huge market of over 200 million people offers a rare opportunity for investment in the diary subsector, pointing out that Arla has been in Nigeria for so many years, contributing to its agricultural development.
The Managing Director requested that dairy products such as milk should be incorporated in Nigeria’s school feeding program.
The Ambassador extended an invitation to the Minister and his team to visit Denmark for a firsthand experience of the country’s advanced livestock systems, promising to “organise a great visit” for the Minister.
In his response, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, expressed Nigeria’s openness to collaborations that would unbundle, diversify, and improve the livestock sector’s capacity to meet local and international demands.
The Minister outlined the Ministry’s priorities, including establishing advanced laboratories to enhance indigenous breeds and achieve sufficiency in the cultivation of feed and fodder.
According to him, “we are eager to partner on initiatives that will modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry,” adding that “exchange programs and capacity-building initiatives will play a vital role in equipping staff to deliver on the Ministry’s mandate.”
“We are committed to creating a thriving livestock sector that not only supports food security but also generates employment and economic growth,” Maiha added.
The Minister further stressed that the creation of the Livestock Ministry by Mr President is a strong signal of the clear intent of the Nigerian government to reposition the sector as a key driver of national development and an attractive destination for foreign investment.
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