The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has commended the UK-funded Propcom+ programme for delivering market-led interventions that are strengthening Nigeria’s livestock system and unlocking private sector investment.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting organised by Propcom+ in Abuja on 6 February 2026, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for sustainable livestock growth through policy reform, regulatory alignment, and private sector participation.
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Stephen Ohaeri, the Minister noted that Propcom+ interventions reflect a systems-based approach that addresses root constraints across vaccine supply chains, animal health service delivery, feed and fodder markets, and institutional capacity.
He emphasised the Ministry’s readiness to support scalable models that crowd in private investment, strengthen local production capacity, and improve service delivery to smallholder livestock farmers.
Driving Systemic Change Across Livestock Value Chains
Propcom+ Country Representative, Dr Adiya Ode, explained that the programme’s livestock portfolio focuses on correcting market failures, improving incentives, and building commercially viable delivery models that can sustain beyond donor funding.
Key interventions include:
- Deployment of solar-powered cold chain infrastructure through 58 private agro-veterinary dealers, improving vaccine viability and expanding last-mile access under a cost-sharing, market-based model.
- Strengthening a network of 525 community animal health workers and paraprofessionals, enabling over 456,000 livestock farmers to access paid, quality animal health services.
- Supporting veterinary pharmaceutical distributors to expand commercially sustainable distribution networks.
- Piloting commercial alfalfa production in Jigawa State, catalysing over £924,000 in private investment and demonstrating the viability of high-protein feed markets.
- Providing a £1 million grant to NVRI to modernise production systems and increase vaccine output to 110 million doses by 2028, while addressing systemic energy and regulatory bottlenecks.
These interventions are designed not as stand-alone projects, but as scalable market solutions that improve productivity, resilience, and incomes across the livestock ecosystem.
Aligning with National Reform Priorities
As Propcom+ enters Year 4 of implementation, the programme seeks deeper alignment with the Ministry’s reform agenda, including:
- Strengthening regulatory frameworks (including amendment of the Veterinary Surgeons Act)
- Improving donor coordination
- Encouraging greater private capital mobilisation
- Scaling inclusive models that empower women and underserved rural communities
By 2030, Propcom+ aims to reach 4.1 million smallholders and entrepreneurs, improve resilience for 3.79 million beneficiaries, and leverage £204 million in private investment — advancing climate-resilient, conflict-sensitive, and inclusive economic growth.
The engagement underscored a shared commitment between government and development partners to transition Nigeria’s livestock sector from subsistence-driven systems to competitive, investment-ready value chains capable of driving food security, job creation, and economic transformation.
