The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This political backing is attributed to the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which leaders say resolves prolonged neglect of the livestock industry.
Speaking at a solidarity gathering in Kaduna State, Ngelzarma stated that pastoralists, cattle breeders, and allied industry stakeholders are fully committed to supporting the current administration. The event, themed "United for Inclusion, Representation and Prosperity," was organized through a partnership between regional agricultural groups, the Fulbe APC Forum, and other political support organizations.
What led to the pastoralist endorsement of the federal administration?
The primary catalyst for the endorsement was the establishment of the livestock ministry in July 2024, a structural change that fulfilled decades of advocacy by livestock operators. Ngelzarma noted that this institutional framework has motivated multiple state governments to institute parallel bodies, creating a collaborative approach to resolving challenges faced by pastoralists.
Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha outlined the economic potential of the sector, revealing that the nation possesses approximately 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 70 million sheep, and 300 million poultry birds. Maiha challenged trade associations to collaborate with state and federal authorities within a three-month window to formulate actionable investment proposals.
What infrastructural upgrades are underway for the livestock sector?
During the Kaduna rally, federal and state officials detailed ongoing infrastructural interventions designed to modernize livestock production across the country.
Minister Maiha announced that seven veterinary hospitals have been finalized and fully equipped under a World Bank-backed initiative. The federal roadmap includes expanding veterinary infrastructure across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and primary animal health centers across the 774 local government areas.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government reported significant financial commitments to the sub-sector. Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture Murtala Dabo, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani disclosed that the state's budgetary allocation for livestock development rose from N1.48 billion in 2023 to more than N100 billion for the 2026 fiscal cycle. These funds have facilitated the deployment of solar-powered water schemes, expanded inoculation drives, and the integration of artificial insemination to boost dairy yields from 1.5 liters to upward of four liters per cattle daily.