In a bold call for immediate action, Professor Attahiru Jega, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Livestock Reforms, says the time to overhaul Nigeria’s livestock sector is now—warning that inaction could worsen insecurity, poverty, and economic stagnation.
Speaking at a distinguished personality lecture hosted by the University of Ilorin, Jega presented a detailed reform plan under the theme: “Transforming Nigeria’s Livestock Sector for Peace, Productivity and Prosperity.”
Jega emphasized the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drone surveillance to enhance livestock management. These technologies, he explained, can help monitor animal health, track grazing patterns, and provide early warnings in regions vulnerable to farmer-herder conflicts.
One of the major highlights of his proposal includes the establishment of National Livestock Industrial Zones across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. These zones would feature:
Renewable-energy dairy processing clusters
Integrated leather parks and value chain hubs
The aim is to reduce post-harvest losses, improve food quality, and attract private sector investments.
The event was organized in honour of Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture (Kwara Central), who also pledged support for the federal government’s livestock reform initiatives.
Professor Jega concluded that with the right blend of innovation, infrastructure, inclusive policy, and political will, Nigeria can turn its livestock sector from a source of national tension into an engine of peace and shared economic growth.
