The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has emphasized that strategic partnerships are the cornerstone of achieving long-term transformation and institutional stability within Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, during a high-level meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters, the Minister hosted a delegation from the UK-funded SPRiNG Programme, led by Team Leader Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo. The discussion centered on consolidating recent reforms to ensure they evolve into a permanent framework for national agricultural growth.
Catalyzing Long-Term Transformation
Minister Mukhtar lauded the SPRiNG Programme for its timely and impactful technical assistance, noting that the collaboration has acted as a catalyst for the Ministry’s ability to stabilize operations and deliver on its mandate during a pivotal transition period.
“Your technical assistance came at a critical time and has had a catalytic effect on our ability to stabilise and deliver. What is important now is to sustain these gains and translate them into long-term outcomes,” the Minister stated.
The Minister specifically pointed to the synergy between peacebuilding and economic output. He noted that SPRiNG’s interventions in conflict-affected areas have been instrumental, as improved security directly correlates with higher livestock productivity.
Strengthening Communication and Governance
Beyond security, the partnership has significantly bolstered the Ministry’s strategic communication systems. Minister Mukhtar described this support as instrumental in enhancing stakeholder engagement and ensuring the Ministry’s objectives are clearly communicated to the public and industry players alike.
He reaffirmed that the Ministry is committed to an evolving partnership that expands in scope as the Ministry’s mandate grows, stressing that sustainability must remain the guiding principle for all joint ventures.
Future Priorities: Data, Tagging, and Inclusion
Earlier in the session, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo reaffirmed the SPRiNG Programme’s commitment to Nigeria’s livestock transformation agenda. He highlighted that as the programme enters a new phase, it is essential to align directly with the Ministry’s emerging priorities.
“We are here to explore how we can build on existing gains and expand our support in ways that deliver measurable and sustainable impact,” Dr. Ukiwo remarked.
Moving forward, the Ministry and SPRiNG have identified several high-priority areas for immediate collaboration:
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Animal Identification and Traceability: Implementation of pilot tagging programmes in selected states to serve as a blueprint for nationwide scale-up.
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Livestock Data Systems: The development of robust digital frameworks to track sector growth and health.
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Inclusive Growth: Targeted initiatives for women and youth to ensure they are integrated into the livestock ecosystem, driving both productivity and social equity.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to strengthen sector governance, ensuring that the livestock industry becomes a reliable pillar of Nigeria’s diversified economy.
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