‘Livestock sector can contribute $94bn to GDP if properly structured’
Nigeria’s livestock sector can contribute about $94bn to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next ten years if properly structured and harnessed in line with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (2025–2030). The Programme Officer of Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI,) Mr. Farouk Bala, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja while highlighting the […]
A scene from Maigatari livestock market in Jigawa State
Nigeria’s livestock sector can contribute about $94bn to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next ten years if properly structured and harnessed in line with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (2025–2030).
The Programme Officer of Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI,) Mr. Farouk Bala, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja while highlighting the need for proper ranching and livestock development to mitigate cases of farmer-herder clashes in the country.
The group argued that reforming Nigeria’s livestock sector is critical to economic revitalisation.
According to Bala, “the Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria’s livestock sector contributes over $32 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (2025–2030). Therefore, the sector is projected to increase its contribution to between $74 billion and $94 billion within a decade if properly structured,”
He cited global examples, noting that Brazil recorded approximately $9.3 billion in beef exports in 2024, while the United States exported $7.2 billion worth of beef and Australia recorded about $8 billion in exports during the same period. Uruguay, earned $2.85 billion from high-quality, traceable beef production.
Speaking further, he noted that “In contrast, Nigeria generated $172,000 from cow exports in 2024, $1.15 million from live animal exports in 2021, and less than $200,000 from meat and edible offal exports.
“These figures underscore the vast economic potential being forfeited as a result of poorly structured and inefficient livestock management systems,”
Bala acknowledged resistance to ranching from some stakeholders, including herders concerned about losing traditional practices and farmers worried about land access.
He, however, attributed such concerns to inadequate information, insisting that ranching would boost GDP, enhance food production, create jobs and increase foreign exchange earnings through beef and related exports.