The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC) Technical Sub-Committee on Livestock Development on Monday. This initiative underscores the federal government's commitment to transforming the livestock sector into a pivotal component of economic advancement, food security, and national unity.
During the inauguration, Bagudu emphasized that the sub-committee has been created to synchronize existing policy frameworks and expedite the development of a practical roadmap for the National Economic Council's consideration and endorsement.
He recalled that a high-level committee on livestock development was previously set up by the NEC, chaired by Dr. Nasir Idris, the Governor of Kebbi State, and included governors from various geopolitical zones, relevant ministers, and the co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development as members.
As the chair of the new sub-committee, Bagudu highlighted the urgency of the project and the need for a dedicated technical group to effectively manage the process amidst the busy schedules of state governors.
He stated, “Our objective is not to come up with new ideas from scratch. A significant amount of preliminary work has already been conducted. We now need to consolidate these findings into a straightforward and actionable roadmap for the National Economic Council to swiftly adopt.”
Bagudu acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s strong personal commitment to livestock development, asserting that it signifies a substantial shift in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic strategies.
He articulated, “The President has consistently pointed out that livestock is not a secondary concern but an essential economic driver crucial for food security and agricultural growth. His choice to chair the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development reflects this focused agenda.”
He also mentioned that the establishment of a distinct Ministry of Livestock Development further emphasizes the government's intent to regard livestock as a critical economic sector that deserves significant attention, rather than a minor function.
The minister remarked that the President's involvement with the NEC is aligned with Nigeria’s federal structure, which designates responsibility for agriculture and food security, including livestock development, across the federal, state, and local governments.
Bagudu remarked, “The advancement of livestock development necessitates collaboration between all levels of government. Our ministry, tasked with coordinating national development planning, serves as the secretariat for our federal system, ensuring that national plans, budgets, and programs are cohesive and executed in collaboration, rather than in isolation.”
He brought attention to various financing and program opportunities available, including the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, NG-CARES, the Nigeria for Women Programme, and the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Plan, which seeks to identify and support economic prospects in Nigeria’s 8,809 wards.
Bagudu urged state commissioners to take an active role in the initiative, asserting that the broad acceptance of the committee’s recommendations by the NEC would facilitate the mobilization of additional resources from state and local levels, alongside attracting development partners, investors, and private sector engagement through improved policy alignment and reduced investment risks.
He addressed the often-sensitive nature of livestock production, stating that the sub-committee’s efforts should help redefine the sector as a means of prosperity rather than conflict.
Earlier, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, who supervises the Office of the Permanent Secretary, described the meeting as a pivotal step toward advancing the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, Ebimaro noted that the link between food security and economic development is vital, pledging the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning's ongoing dedication to coordinating national efforts for sustainable progress.
Other members of the sub-committee include the Permanent Secretary of Budget and Economic Planning, represented by the Director of International Cooperation, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro; Mr. Kingsley Uzoma, the SSA to the President on Agribusiness; Commissioner for Cross River Budget and Planning Dr. Micheal Odere; and others from Kebbi and Niger States, as well as various experts and stakeholders related to livestock development.
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