Denmark, Egypt, Others Indicates Interest In Livestock Development In Nigeria 

While congratulating the pioneer Minister of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, on his appointment, Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Mohamed Fouad, highlighted his country’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in modernising the livestock sector.

The proposed partnership aims to leverage Egypt’s expertise to advance key areas such as breeding, feed production, and animal health.

In a related development, the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Jens Ole Bach Hansen, led a high-level delegation, including Chief Executives of Danish leading livestock companies operating in Nigeria, on a working visit to the Ministry. Among them was the Managing Director of Arla Foods, Mr. Peder Pederson.

Commending the foresight of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in establishing the Ministry, Ambassador Hansen said, the creation of the Ministry is indicative of a deep understanding of the needs of Nigeria and the strategic vision to address them.

The Ambassador extended an invitation to the Minister and his team to visit Denmark for a firsthand experience of the country’s advanced livestock systems, promising to “organise a great visit” for the Minister.

Also speaking during the visit, the Managing Director of Arla Foods, Mr Pederson, said, Nigeria’s huge market of over 200 million people, offers a rare opportunity for investment in the diary subsector.

The Managing Director suggested that diary products such as milk should be incorporated in Nigeria’s school feeding programme.

In his response, Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, expressed Nigeria’s openness to collaborations that would unbundle, diversify, and improve the livestock sector’s capacity to meet local and international demands.

The Minister outlined the Ministry’s priorities, including establishing advanced laboratories to enhance indigenous breeds and achieve sufficiency in the cultivation of feed and fodder.

 “We are eager to partner on initiatives that will modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry,”

“We are committed to creating a thriving livestock sector that not only supports food security but also generates employment and economic growth,” Maiha added.

The Minister further stressed that the creation of the Livestock Ministry by Mr. President, is a strong signal of the clear intent of the Nigerian government to reposition the sector as a key driver of national development and an attractive destination for foreign investment.