Livestock Development Minister Mukhtar Maiha said that widespread skin and skin consumption (commonly known as “kpomo”) caused at least 23 billion guilds per year and deprived the country of about 700,000 jobs post.
On Friday, February 21, at a ministerial briefing in Abuja, Maiha highlighted the economic and health risks associated with this practice. He warned that methods used to process and consume animal skin could lead to cancer, urging Nigerians to reconsider their eating habits.
The minister announced an ambitious plan to expand Nigeria’s livestock market from the current $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035. He outlined the industry’s expected contribution to the national economy between 2025 and 2030 global leaders such as Brazil, Argentina and the United States.
Maiha said the ministry’s main goals include improving livestock production, improving animal health, improving food security, promoting inclusion in the industry, and strengthening governance and regulations.
He further announced that Nigeria has established strategic partnerships with international investors, institutions and diplomatic missions to ensure technical expertise, financing and investment in the livestock industry. Partner countries include Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to Maiha, these collaborations will focus on meat processing, dairy production, animal health, feed production and cold chain logistics.
“These partnerships will help position Nigeria as a regional and global hub for livestock production and export,” he said.
During the event, Minister of Information and Nation toward Minister Mohammed Idris stressed that the ministerial briefing was a platform to showcase the achievements of the Tinob government in various economic sectors.
“I am very happy to welcome you to the second edition of the 2025 ministerial press conference. You may remember that on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, I opened this year’s series with emphasis on President Bora Aiha The key success of Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Idris said.
He stressed that President Tinob recently established a ministry of livestock development and regional development to capitalize on the potential of the Nigerian livestock industry and promote regional development across the country.
“The Ministry of Livestock Development was established in July 2024 to transform Nigeria’s multi-billion dollar livestock potential into a real economic boom, while the Ministry of Regional Development was established in October 2024 to oversee regional development commissions. Both ministries and commissions are both Taking root, today’s briefing offers an opportunity to showcase their progress,” he added.
The Ministerial Conference reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry, promoting sustainable development and job creation.
