The minister of livestock development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, says the Nigerian government is redefining its livestock agenda with women as key drivers of growth.
Speaking on Wednesday at a strategic breakfast session in Abuja, Maiha highlighted that women form the backbone of livestock production across the country and deserve a central role in the sector’s transformation.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has placed new emphasis on livestock as a catalyst for national development, opening wider pathways for women to run profitable enterprises and occupy leadership positions. He also commended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering support for programmes that uplift women.
Maiha explained that Nigerian women are “not silent contributors” but active participants powering everyday economic activities. He added that the ministry is partnering with AWARFA-N and other stakeholders to scale opportunities in lucrative value chains such as dairy, honey, goats, and poultry.
In her remarks, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, permanent secretary of the ministry, stressed that women remain central to food production, household nutrition, and trading networks. She noted that the National Livestock Growth and Acceleration Strategy recognises women and young people as one of its core pillars.
Akujobi also revealed plans for the National Presidential Youth and Women Initiatives in Livestock an upcoming programme expected to create thousands of jobs across all 774 local government areas.
Sharing AWARFA-N’s five-year roadmap, Victoria Madedor said the group hopes to position itself as the foremost hub for women entrepreneurs and investors in animal resources and agribusiness between 2025 and 2029. Their strategy revolves around skills development, financing, technology, value-chain expansion, and policy advocacy.
Delivering a goodwill message, Sarah Ossiya from AU-IBAR urged stronger integration of women in livestock systems. She warned that Africa loses up to ten percent of its GDP to malnutrition and emphasised that quality animal nutrition directly improves human wellbeing. She also called for reforms to financing and land access to help women fully unlock their potential in the industry.