By Stella Oduem
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding strategic collaboration with the Republic of Türkiye to support the ongoing transformation of the livestock sector.
The Minister stated this while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria–Türkiye Business Council (NTBC) during a visit to the Ministry in Abuja.
Mukhtar explained that the engagement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive to strengthen international partnerships that can support the modernization and growth of key sectors of the Nigerian economy, including livestock development.
According to the Minister, in a statement by the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Information, Ogochukwu Igboamalu, at the weekend Nigeria’s livestock sector presents enormous investment opportunities across the entire value chain.
“The Nigerian livestock sector is open for business. From feed and fodder production, animal health management and ranching systems, to dairy development, meat processing, quality assurance, cold-chain logistics and transportation, the entire livestock value chain is undergoing transformation,” he said.
He noted that collaboration with Türkiye could support the Federal Government’s plan to strengthen critical areas of the sector, including red meat production, breed improvement through advanced genetics, grazing reserve development, dairy production, food processing and vaccine manufacturing.
“The entire livestock ecosystem presents strong opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. We are therefore ready to work with partners that can bring technology, expertise and investment into the sector,” the Minister added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria–Türkiye Business Council, Dele Kelvin Oye (Esq), said Türkiye’s experience in livestock development offers practical solutions that could support Nigeria’s reform agenda, noting that despite facing its own challenges, Türkiye has built a livestock industry with strong capabilities that align with the Ministry’s priority areas.
According to him, these include genetic improvement through artificial insemination, advanced poultry production systems, feed manufacturing, livestock equipment and technology, leather value chain development, and pasture management.
