By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening investment ties with Mexico in the livestock sector.
He said this during a courtesy visit to the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Alfredo Miranda, at the Mexican Embassy in Abuja.
A statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Ben. Ben Goong on Wednesday said speaking after the closed-door meeting, Ambassador Miranda described the discussions as productive and forward-looking, noting that Mexico and Nigeria share strong similarities in livestock production and trade.
“We have had a very interesting and productive conversation with the Honourable Minister because we have found that Mexico and Nigeria share many similarities in different areas, especially livestock. We have mapped out potential areas for collaboration and are set to begin working on specific technical aspects,” he stated.
These areas include improving animal fattening, enhancing livestock health and security, boosting trade, and strengthening specialised sectors within the industry.
“We will immediately begin engaging on specific technical and investment opportunities,” Miranda added.
In his remarks, the Minister noted the potential for increased foreign investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector, noting that bilateral trade between Nigeria and Mexico has reached $171 million annually and presents even greater opportunities.
“Mexico is currently a leading exporter of red meat in Latin America and a global player in poultry, piggery, and cattle production. Their expertise in pasture-based cattle finishing also yields premium-quality meat and dairy products. These are areas we lare keen to explore for potential cooperation,” Maiha stated.
He reitirated Nigeria’s readiness to create an enabling environment for Mexican investors to participate in the country’s livestock sector, particularly through brownfield investments, knowledge exchange, and trade facilitation.
“We have agreed to enhance information sharing and ensure the necessary frameworks are in place to encourage investment. Our goal is to make Nigeria a viable destination for international livestock investors, leveraging Mexico’s proven expertise and success in the sector,” he stated.
