Organised stakeholders in Nigeria's cattle business have described the cattle value chain as a gold mine and a critical huge contributor to Nigeria's economy if properly harnessed. They believe that cattle could replace oil and gas due to its vast value chain, from cattle rearing to the meat industry and trade. The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) announced its resolve to strengthen the body for the collective interest of Nigeria and its citizens.
The head of the Fulani in Rivers State, Sarki Yau Mogodi, revealed that they lost over four million cows to rustlers and thieves in transit from north to south, with loss of human lives and extortion at checkpoints. Mogodi, a frontline cattle breeder, described the Nigeria cattle value chain as another gold mine next to the oil and gas economy. He noted that the value chain has enormous potentials that need to be properly harnessed to boost the livestock industry and revenue of the country.
The National President of NACDPAMN, Iliyasu Bulama, stated that the association is the voice, bridge, and umbrella platform of Nigeria's cattle value chain, representing the commercial heart of the national food system. Bulama said the association would ensure multi-stakeholders' collaboration for secured livestock and traceability, verification, and prevention of cattle theft or rustling in Nigeria. The association aims to transform the livestock sector from its current subsistence level to a thriving, commercialized industry.
Godspower Eke, the chairman of NACDPAMN in Rivers State, revealed that the association, established in 2021 and inaugurated in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is poised to diversify the country's economy and reduce its over-dependence on oil. Eke noted that livestock is a key area with its growth and vast grazing land and large cattle population. The mission of the association includes transforming the livestock sector and providing jobs and sustaining vast livelihoods for Nigeria's growing population.
Baba Othman Ngezarma, the National President of cattle breeders under the name 'Myeltti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)', disclosed that breeders had lost 4 million cows to rustlers from 2014 to 2025, while Nigeria spends over $2 billion on milk importation. Stakeholders, including Eke, Othman, and Bulama, commended President Tinubu for creating the new Livestock Development Ministry and said NACDPAMN would upscale the huge potentials in the cattle value chain.
Mogodi highlighted four major challenges confronting Fulani herdsmen, including farmers-herdsmen clashes, cattle rustling, security, obnoxious taxation, and criminal attacks. He advocated for education, job opportunities, entrepreneurship, empowerment for Fulani youths, and access to cattle ranches for herders. Mogodi emphasized that Fulani youths are talented and industrious, and education is the key to socio-economic development and growth.
The stakeholders, including Mogodi, appealed to the Federal Government to help the Fulani people out of their sympathetic situation, citing instances of attacks and killings of cows and herders. They also called on the Federal Government to create a Fulani Youth Development Commission or Danfodio Youth Development Commission, like other commissions, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Key points
- The cattle value chain has enormous potentials to boost the livestock industry and revenue of the country.
- The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) aims to transform the livestock sector and provide jobs and sustain vast livelihoods for Nigeria's growing population.
- The stakeholders commended President Tinubu for creating the new Livestock Development Ministry and pledged to upscale the huge potentials in the cattle value chain.
