The Gombe State Government has joined a high-level Nigerian government delegation to Morocco in a renewed bilateral mission aimed at expanding agribusiness collaboration, strengthening livestock production systems, and deepening veterinary innovation between both countries.
The delegation from Gombe which includes the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas M. Malle; the State Project Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Prof. Usman Bello Abubakar; and a representative of the Gombe State House of Assembly, participated in the visit held from November 9–14, 2025.
Led by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the National Coordinator of L-PRES, Malam Sanusi Abubakar, the federal team engaged Morocco’s top agricultural institutions through strategic meetings, factory assessments, and technical sessions focused on unlocking new trade pathways and strengthening technical cooperation.
Gombe State is expected to be a major beneficiary of the bilateral mission, given its ongoing investments in modern livestock infrastructure and value-chain transformation.
Key Areas of Engagement
Throughout the visit, the Nigerian delegation explored Morocco’s:
- Agricultural financing and development models
- Red meat value chain modernisation
- Integrated agribusiness cluster operations
- Livestock genetic improvement systems at the Kenitra Artificial Insemination Centre
- Integrated dairy farms and processing facilities
- Poultry production clusters and specialized training centres
- Food safety, export certification, and meat-processing standards
- Irrigation technologies and veterinary systems
The insights gained align directly with Gombe State’s Agro-Livestock Development Zone and the broader modernisation agenda of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Major Expected Benefits for Gombe
As a result of the partnership, Gombe is positioned to benefit from:
- Advanced livestock genetic technologies, including artificial insemination and improved breeding systems
- Enhanced dairy and meat productivity through improved animal genetics
- Better disease resistance among livestock
- Support for the state’s Ultramodern Abattoir and International Livestock Market, ensuring international certification and export readiness
- Potential Moroccan agribusiness investments, particularly in water harvesting, small-scale irrigation, and pasture development
- Technical assistance for grazing reserves, livestock clusters, and value-chain expansion
Joint Technical Working Group Established
A Joint Technical Working Group has been constituted, with Gombe State playing a prominent role.
The group will drive follow-up engagements and ensure the state directly benefits from upcoming cooperation agreements.
The formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Morocco is scheduled for April 2026 at the SIAM Agriculture Show, marking a major step toward full implementation of the new partnership.