The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create about 7,000 direct jobs through an estate-based ranching programme aimed at empowering youths and women, increasing livestock productivity, and driving rural economic development.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced the initiative during a meeting with the management of Access Bank Plc in Abuja on Thursday.
Maiha said the programme is designed to transform the livestock sector into a major contributor to economic growth, food security, and employment generation.
“The programme is projected to create about 7,000 direct jobs while supporting growth across the dairy, red meat and leather value chains,” the minister said.
He explained that the estate-based ranching model would provide structured opportunities for young people and women to participate in ranch operations and related livestock enterprises while promoting modern and sustainable production systems.
The minister said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry, particularly in dairy production, meat processing, feed and fodder development, and leather manufacturing.
Maiha also called for financing models tailored to the realities of livestock production, especially dairy farming, which typically requires longer production cycles before returns are realized.
According to him, the dairy industry alone has the potential to generate billions of dollars in economic value if supported through stronger collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, and private investors.
As part of efforts to modernize livestock infrastructure, the ministry is pursuing the establishment of modern abattoirs across selected states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The planned facilities, each expected to process at least 1,000 cattle daily, are intended to improve meat quality and safety standards, reduce waste, and strengthen the livestock value chain.
Maiha also emphasized the importance of feed and fodder development, describing animal nutrition as a critical factor in livestock productivity. The ministry is working to expand pasture cultivation nationwide and establish feed resources closer to production centres to reduce transportation costs and improve efficiency.
Earlier, Access Bank’s Public Relations Manager, Jonathan Oloniyo, expressed the bank’s readiness to collaborate with the ministry on initiatives aimed at unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
