AGS NEWS – Nigeria earns about $1.2 billion annually from exporting hides and skin from the livestock sector, according to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The association, which advocates for the welfare of pastoralists, announced that the livestock sector is currently valued at over N33 trillion and is expected to grow to over N75 trillion with new investments.

MACBAN President Othman Ngelzarma shared this information at a press briefing in Abuja, where he praised the establishment of a new Ministry of Livestock Development.

He dismissed claims that the ministry’s creation was an attempt to forcibly take land for resettling pastoralists.

On July 9, 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the new Ministry of Livestock Development and inaugurated the Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee to address the farmers-herders crisis.

Ngelzarma highlighted the sector’s significant contributions, noting it accounts for 10% of Nigeria’s non-oil GDP and 30% of agricultural GDP, employing over 20 million Nigerians.

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He emphasized the high value of Nigerian hides, such as the Sokoto red skin goat leather, and projected substantial growth in foreign exchange earnings from the sector.

He also mentioned that the livestock sector, beyond cattle, includes pigs, goats, sheep, fish, donkeys, and camels, and has the potential to save Nigeria billions in foreign exchange by reducing imports and increasing exports of leather, beef, and other livestock products.

MACBAN criticized remarks suggesting the new ministry was a Fulani initiative or a land grab scheme, urging investment in infrastructure and services to modernize Nigeria’s livestock production system.

Ngelzarma called for adopting global best practices from countries like Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand to ensure sustainable growth and development in Nigeria’s livestock sector.