FG Projects 10,000 Jobs From Each 500-Cattle Modern Abattoir
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
The Federal Government has projected the creation of about 10,000 jobs from each modern abattoir capable of processing 500 cattle daily as part of its efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed this during a visit to Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, in Minna, where he assessed livestock development projects being implemented under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).
Maiha urged state governments to collaborate with private investors in establishing modern abattoirs, noting that the facilities would generate employment across various segments of the livestock value chain.
According to him, opportunities would be created in cattle fattening, pasture production, animal health services, feed production, transportation and meat processing.
The minister said the current practice of transporting live cattle over long distances from northern Nigeria to southern markets results in weight loss, road accidents and other forms of wastage.
He advocated a transition from the transportation of live animals to processed meat transported under appropriate cold-chain conditions.
Maiha identified feed and fodder, breed improvement and animal health as three major priorities of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He said livestock businesses, including poultry, egg, milk and goat production, could provide sustainable sources of income for unemployed youths throughout the year.
The minister also disclosed that Nigeria spends approximately $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports despite having an estimated 55 million cattle population.
He said improved breeding programmes and better livestock management could significantly increase domestic milk production and reduce the country's dependence on imported dairy products.
Maiha further called for the establishment of livestock development centres where pastoralists could settle and participate in organised livestock production and value chains.
He described nomadism as a survival mechanism rather than a cultural practice, stressing the need to develop structured systems capable of improving livestock productivity and the welfare of pastoral communities.
In his response, Governor Bago said the Niger State Government was taking steps to address pasture shortages through the cultivation of animal feed.
He disclosed that the state had secured $100 million from the Saudi Exim Bank, with an initial $10 million earmarked for irrigation projects to support pasture production.
Bago also said Niger State had an arrangement to supply approximately 200 cattle daily to meat-processing businesses in Abuja.
He explained that feedlots under the arrangement were expected to accommodate between 18,000 and 20,000 cattle per production cycle, adding that the initiative could generate about 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The governor also advocated the activation of railway routes connecting Niger State to Lagos.
According to him, improved rail transportation would help reduce pressure on the nation's roads, minimise wastage and facilitate more efficient movement of livestock and livestock products.
During the visit, Maiha also commiserated with the Niger State Government and families of miners who died in recent incidents in the state.
He urged relevant stakeholders to draw lessons from the incidents and strengthen regulation and management of mining activities to prevent further loss of lives.
