The Federal Government has announced plans to establish cattle breeding centres in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, in a major step towards modernising livestock production and addressing food insecurity.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed the plan during the second day of the Citizens-Government Engagement and Midterm Assessment event in Kaduna, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
According to Abdullahi, the initiative aims to transition from traditional cattle rearing methods to structured, economically driven livestock systems. He noted that the breeding centres would not only improve meat and dairy output but also reduce recurring clashes between farmers and herders, thereby enhancing national stability and food sufficiency.
“The collaboration among key ministries—Agriculture, Environment, Water Resources, Livestock Development, and the Marine and Blue Economy—is essential to realising the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Abdullahi said.
The announcement was also shared by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, describing the move as part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector.
The development comes on the heels of an earlier resolution by the National Economic Council (NEC) in April, which described Nigeria’s current livestock practices as outdated and unsustainable. The council urged swift adoption of modern animal husbandry techniques amid increasing farmer-herder conflicts, particularly in states like Plateau, Benue, and Kwara.
Speaking to journalists after the NEC meeting, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State emphasised the urgency of shifting away from archaic livestock methods. “Council stressed that we must stop living in the past and begin modernising livestock production in Nigeria,” he said.
The planned breeding centres are expected to serve as hubs for sustainable livestock development, contributing to national food security and agricultural growth.
