By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has called on the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and its affiliated National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) to intensify efforts in bridging the gap between research and market realities.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from ABU led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Kabiru Bala, the minister expressed the need for academia to produce solutions that directly address the challenges faced by livestock farmers, processors, and marketers.
“Research must be relevant, practical, and adaptable to the evolving demands of the market. We cannot afford to have brilliant studies sitting on shelves while the livestock sector struggles with issues like disease outbreaks, low productivity, and supply chain inefficiencies,” Maiha stated.
A statement on Thursday by Ben. Bem Goong,
Director, Information and Public Relations Department said explaining the critical role of NAPRI in promoting superior livestock breeds, advising farmers, and creating a robust supply chain for commercial livestock products, the Minister said, “With 4,000 hectares of land, the institute has immense potential to lead the charge in livestock research, seed propagation, and breed improvement”.
He outlined several challenges facing the sector, including the need for middle-level professionals, improved abattoir conditions, and greater commercialization of research outputs and called on NAPRI to work closely with the ministry to address these issues.
“We need community animal health workers and paraprofessionals in the thousands to meet the demands of this sector. NAPRI must step up and lead this charge,” the Minister said.
He also urged NAPRI and the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to adopt a commercial approach, noting, “Our national requirement for vaccines is 1.2 million doses, but we currently produce only 15 per cent. NVRI must not only meet national demand but also tap into the West African market.”
The minist announced several collaborations with private sector players, including JBS of Brazil, which has committed to investing $2.5 billion in Nigeria’s livestock value chain, which will include six processing plants for beef, chicken, and pig production.
“This is a significant opportunity for Nigeria to establish itself as a global player in the livestock sector. We need to ensure that NAPRI and other stakeholders are ready to key into these opportunities by providing the necessary feed, breeds, and expertise to sustain these operations. We must act now to build the infrastructure, expertise, and supply chains needed to meet these demands,” he said.
Represented by the Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Kabiru Junaid, the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) expressed pride in the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, an alumnus of the university, and congratulated him on his well-deserved appointment.
Highlighting ABU’s significant contributions to education and research, he noted that the institution hosts the only National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), an integral organ of the new ministry.
The Vice Chancellor expressed confidence in the Honourable Minister’s leadership to realise the aspirations of millions of Nigerians dependent on livestock for survival and pledge the support of the University in advancing agriculture and livestock development under the government’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Junaid also extended an invitation for the Minister to visit the university and the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), saying, “The Vice Chancellor insisted that I extend this categorical invitation to you, sir, that he is inviting you at your own time, sir, to visit Ahmadu Bello University and during that visit also to visit the National Animal Production Research Institute”.
