Federal Government Targets $74 Billion Livestock Expansion to Bolster National Food Security

Federal Government targets $74bn livestock industry growth to combat food inflation and protein deficiency through a new 10-pillar transformation plan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 5:29 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Punch

Strategic Blueprint for Agricultural Transformation

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a decade long roadmap to nearly double the economic output of the nation’s livestock industry. At the ninth Vanguard Economic Discourse in Lagos, Eustace Iyayi, speaking for Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha, detailed a strategy designed to grow the sector to $74 billion by 2035. This initiative is positioned as a critical intervention to reposition agriculture as a primary driver of national growth, particularly as the country faces significant challenges from rising food inflation and systemic hunger. The plan involves a comprehensive 10 pillar approach targeting the entire value chain to ensure long term economic stability.

Addressing the Protein Consumption Deficit

A primary driver for this expansion is the urgent need to address the severe nutritional gap in the Nigerian population. Official data indicates that the average per capita animal protein consumption in Nigeria ranges between 7 and 10 grams daily, which is significantly lower than the recommended minimum of 20 grams. Despite possessing a massive livestock population, including nearly 700 million poultry and over 100 million goats, the sector currently contributes only five to eight percent of the national GDP. The government aims to bridge this gap by increasing productivity through better genetics and improved animal health systems.

Financial Constraints and Lending Reforms

The government has identified high borrowing costs as a prohibitive barrier to agricultural investment and sustainable growth. Iyayi warned that interest rates currently hovering between 23 and 25 percent are incompatible with viable agricultural business models. Consequently, the Ministry of Livestock Development is calling on financial institutions to develop specialized lending models that offer single digit interest rates to farmers. Unlocking affordable financing is viewed as a prerequisite for the infrastructure investments needed to modernize feed and fodder systems across the country’s farming communities.