Critics of Tinubu livestock ministry narrow-minded — MACBAN

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has berated those opposing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development.

The association’s president, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, on Sunday in Abuja at a media conference, said Nigeria could earn more than 10 times its current earnings in foreign exchange from livestock production through the creation of the ministry.

Othman-Ngelzarma said the MACBAN also believes a renewed livestock production system can save Nigeria billions of dollars in foreign exchange.

“To the critics, I urge them to abandon their narrow-minded thinking. They should consider the bigger picture of how this ministry can strategically help President Tinubu’s administration achieve economic diversification, growth, job creation, food security, and adaptation of global best practices for a stronger GDP,” Othman-Ngelzarma said.

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He said that the livestock sector is currently valued at over N33 trillion and with the envisaged new investments, it’s estimated to grow to over 75 trillion in a few years to come.

The MACBAN president highlighted that the livestock sector already employs Nigerians across tribes and religions, including butchers, transporters, tax collectors, and dairy/beef producers.

“By 2050, Nigeria’s population will be around 402 million. The need for nutrition must also increase alongside this growth. Enhancing livestock production can significantly increase protein intake, which can be best achieved through a dedicated ministry,” Othman-Ngelzarma said.

He said, “We believe a dedicated ministry can better handle issues like animal tagging, pastoralist data collection, transportation, migration route management, and peacebuilding.

“We salute the president for creating a ministry for an industry that currently employs over 20 million Nigerians and which has the potential of unlocking millions of additional quality jobs at a time when Nigeria is beset by high levels of graduate and youth unemployment.