The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has given pastoralists and livestock farmers hope after decades of neglect.

Ngelzarma said livestock stakeholders across the country were prepared to support Tinubu in appreciation of his administration’s decision to create a dedicated ministry to address the sector’s challenges.

He spoke at a rally organised by the Fulbe APC Forum and Tinubu Yeso-Yeso Political Forum (TYPF), in collaboration with the Coalition of Pastoralists and Traders Associations and the Amalgamated Union of Livestock Dealers, Butchers and other stakeholders in the sector.

The gathering, held In Kaduna under the theme, “United for Inclusion, Representation and Prosperity,” attracted Fulani groups, pastoralists, cattle breeders, livestock dealers, butchers, processors and political stakeholders from across the country.

Ngelzarma said livestock farmers and pastoralists had campaigned for decades for the establishment of a dedicated ministry before the Tinubu administration created it In July 2024.

“We are here today to extend our appreciation and support to the administration of President Tinubu.

“The creation of the livestock ministry is something we have been advocating for and looking forward to for decades,” he said.

He added that the initiative had encouraged some state governments to establish similar institutions to coordinate livestock development, describing it as a significant opportunity to address the longstanding challenges of pastoralists and other operators in the industry.

The MACBAN president said support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition showed appreciation for the administration’s recognition of the economic importance of livestock development.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, urged pastoralists, livestock farmers and other operators to take advantage of the ministry’s programmes to improve their businesses and livelihoods.

Maiha said the livestock sector had remained below its potential for decades because of inadequate veterinary services, limited access to pasture and water, high feed costs, poor market infrastructure, and low productivity.

He said Nigeria had about 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 70 million sheep, 9.3 million pigs, 3.2 million donkeys, 700,000 camels and 300 million birds, describing the figures as enormous economic opportunities waiting to be harnessed.

The minister said the Federal Government was implementing policies to improve animal health, breeding, feed production, dairy farming, meat processing and access to markets.

He disclosed that seven veterinary hospitals had been completed and equipped under a World Bank-supported programme, while additional facilities were at various stages of completion.

According to him, the government plans to expand veterinary services across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with primary veterinary facilities also planned for the 774 local government areas.

Maiha urged livestock associations to collaborate with the ministry and state governments within three months to identify the major challenges confronting their members and develop practical proposals for investment and improved service delivery.

He said the Federal Government was also working to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in regional and international livestock trade through improved animal health standards, traceability and market infrastructure.

The minister called for peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farming communities, stressing that dialogue and responsible management of land and water resources were essential to sustainable livestock development.

He added that the government wanted young Nigerians to see livestock production as a profitable business that can generate employment and wealth, rather than merely a traditional occupation.

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said the state government was complementing the Federal Government’s initiative through investments in livestock infrastructure and services.

Dabo said Kaduna’s budgetary allocation to livestock development had risen from N1.48 billion in 2023 to more than N100 billion in 2026.

He said the government had provided solar-powered water facilities in pastoralist communities, expanded livestock vaccination and introduced artificial insemination services to improve animal productivity.

According to him, improved feeding and breeding practices had helped increase milk production among some cattle from about 1.5 litres to between three and four litres.

He added that the state government was also upgrading slaughter facilities and improving infrastructure across the livestock value chain. (The Nation)