NPRW 2026: Livestock Minister Tasks Communicators to Reframe Livestock as Economic Opportunity
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has called on communication professionals and the media to reshape public discourse around Nigeria’s livestock sector, urging a shift from conflict-driven narratives to economic opportunities that drive growth and food security.
Maiha made the call on the sidelines of the 3rd Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2026, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Kaduna.
Speaking with journalists after a panel session, the minister stressed that the sector should be viewed through the lens of investment, job creation, and national development rather than recurring tensions.
“It is not about profiling or emotional narratives. Livestock is about investment, jobs, food security, and shared prosperity. That is the story we must tell,” he said.
From a public relations perspective, Maiha noted that how the sector is communicated significantly influences policy acceptance, investor confidence, and stakeholder collaboration.
The minister outlined a multi-pronged reform strategy anchored on decentralisation, youth empowerment, and large-scale fodder production, aimed at modernising Nigeria’s livestock value chain.
He identified Kaduna State as a strategic hub in the emerging livestock ecosystem, particularly in dairy development, noting that state-level initiatives are aligning with federal priorities.
According to him, the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to reposition the sector as a key driver of economic growth while addressing structural inefficiencies.
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Maiha revealed that Nigeria currently spends about $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports, describing the situation as paradoxical given the country’s vast livestock resources.
“Today, Nigeria is spending about $1.5 billion importing dairy products annually. Yet we have enormous livestock potential. The task before us is to convert these assets into productivity and retain that value within our economy,” he said.
The minister emphasised that modernising pastoral systems is critical to resolving long-standing farmer-herder conflicts, which are often driven by resource scarcity.
He disclosed that the government is piloting large-scale fodder production in six states, including Kaduna, as a sustainable solution to reduce migration pressures and stabilise livestock production.
“Abundance at the grassroots is the only viable answer. When feed is available, movement reduces, and conflicts are minimised,” he explained.
Maiha further revealed plans to train 1,000 youths in each state and the Federal Capital Territory, targeting key segments of the livestock value chain.
The programme, he said, will cover areas such as fodder production, animal health services, poultry, rabbitry, small ruminant fattening, milk aggregation, and processing.
“The youth have the energy and innovation required to drive this transformation. This will usher in a new generation of livestock entrepreneurs,” he added.
Participants at NPRW 2026 noted that the minister’s call underscores the growing importance of strategic communication in shaping economic sectors, particularly in translating policy into measurable outcomes.
The conference, themed “Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plate – The Imperatives of Public Relations,” continues to highlight the role of communication in bridging the gap between government reforms and real-sector impact.
By PRNigeria
