The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in Nigeria has initiated talks with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to explore areas of technical collaboration. The discussions aim to strengthen livestock identification and traceability, food safety, laboratory capacity, certification, and Nigeria's readiness for increased international trade in livestock products. This engagement seeks to support the Federal Government's efforts to build a more efficient, transparent, and globally competitive livestock sector.
Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the importance of animal identification and traceability for the sector's future growth. As Nigeria works towards expanding livestock production and exports, she highlighted that quality and safety measures must protect Nigerian consumers, not just drive exports. Akujobi's remarks underscored the need for a robust system to ensure the livestock sector's growth is sustainable and beneficial to both local and international markets.
UNIDO's Regional Programme Manager, Adalberto Carvalho Santos Vieira, presented the organization's potential areas of support. UNIDO can assist Nigeria in deploying digital technologies for livestock identification and traceability, linking animal identification to databases to strengthen animal health and build consumer confidence. Vieira noted that UNIDO has successfully implemented livestock identification and traceability systems in other countries, demonstrating its capability to support Nigeria in this endeavor.
The proposed partnership also aims to enhance testing and food safety systems, including laboratory capacity, inspector training, and certification processes. UNIDO is ready to help assess existing national and regional capacities and identify priority gaps. By addressing these gaps, Nigeria can improve its food safety standards and increase its competitiveness in the global market.
A key expected outcome of the partnership is to strengthen Nigeria's capacity to export livestock-related products, such as honey and red meat, to international markets. To achieve this, products must be properly traced, tested, certified, and shown to meet applicable international requirements. This will not only boost Nigeria's export earnings but also enhance the country's reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality livestock products.
The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and UNIDO is a significant step towards transforming Nigeria's livestock sector. By leveraging UNIDO's expertise and technical assistance, Nigeria can develop a more efficient and transparent system for livestock identification, traceability, and food safety. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on the country's economy, public health, and international trade.
The partnership is expected to have a lasting impact on Nigeria's livestock sector, enabling the country to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the global market. With UNIDO's support, Nigeria can overcome the challenges associated with livestock identification, traceability, and food safety, ultimately becoming a major player in the international livestock trade.
Key points
- Strengthening livestock identification and traceability systems to enhance food safety and facilitate access to export markets.
- Deploying digital technologies to link animal identification to databases and strengthen animal health.
- Enhancing laboratory capacity, inspector training, and certification processes to improve food safety standards.
