8Nigeria’s ₦33trn Livestock Industry Remains Vastly Underutilized —Minister
By Uket Oka, Calabar
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has stated that Nigeria’s ₦33 trillion livestock industry has remained vastly underutilized.
Maiha made the disclosure in when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Out in Calabar, the State capital.
He enumerated the strategies adopted by the Federal Government to modernize the sector to include, improved livestock management systems, strengthened disease control measures and expansion of rural infrastructure to support livestock farming.
Describing Obudu Cattle Ranch as a “low-hanging fruit” for the Federal Government’s ambitious livestock transformation agenda, the Minister reaffirmed that the ranch has the potential to become a major player in Nigeria’s beef and dairy industry.
Maiha also revealed that Nigeria has secured a $2.5 billion investment commitment from Brazilian investors, aimed at accelerating livestock sector innovation and expansion.
The Minister further stressed that the success of these initiatives would require robust partnerships between federal and state governments, traditional rulers, and pastoralist organizations, while ensuring that the policies translate into tangible benefits for local communities and drive national economic growth.
Speaking earlier, the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Obudu Cattle Ranch into a major hub for livestock and dairy production in Nigeria.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, also described the initiative as a welcome development.
He highlighted Obudu’s unique climate, rich biodiversity, and vast landmass as key advantages for large-scale livestock farming and dairy production.
Governor Otu emphasized that global economic shifts provide an opportunity for Nigeria to expand its agricultural exports and attract agribusiness investments.
He urged stakeholders to leverage agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, shifting from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial production.
“Nigeria’s economic future depends on our ability to fully harness our agricultural and livestock resources. Large-scale investments in agriculture will enhance food security, create jobs, and boost foreign exchange earnings,” the Governor stated.
Reaffirming Cross River State’s commitment to agricultural expansion, the Governor cited the state’s thriving cocoa sector as an example of strategic investment in agriculture.
He also called for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to attract investment and modernize the agricultural value chain.
“We seek increased investments in local communities to ensure that development is sustainable and inclusive. As international funding from institutions like the World Bank begins to support large-scale agricultural transformation, Cross River State must be a priority beneficiary,” he added.
The Governor further urged youth, women, and traditional leaders to actively engage in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, ensuring that government initiatives have a direct socio-economic impact on rural communities.
Our reporter gathered that with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on agriculture and livestock development, the revitalization of Obudu Cattle Ranch presents a unique opportunity for economic transformation in Cross River State.
So far, the administration of Governor Otu has remained committed to partnering with federal authorities and private investors to fully harness the state’s agricultural potential, delivering long-term benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs and the broader economy.
