How Gov AbdulRazaq is industrialising subsistence livestock production — Oloruntoyosi

By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin

The Kwara State Government is 

working to transit from subsistence 

livestock production to a fully commercialised and industrialised system aimed at job creation, investment attraction, and import substitution, says Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, Commissioner for Livestock Development in Kwara state.

She stated this in Ilorin Wednesday evening at the grand finale of 2026 Kwara state NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel activities while addressing journalists on “Livestock Development in a Changing Economy: Innovation, Opportunities, and the Role of Strategic Communication in National Growth.”

The commissioner said that the livestock industry has moved beyond traditional animal rearing into a strategic economic sector capable of shaping the future of Nigeria’s food systems, industries, and national prosperity.

Oloruntoyosi also said that the government has intensified its push to reposition livestock production as a major driver of economic growth, projecting that targeted interventions in the sector could significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports and unlock billions of dollars in value.

The commissioner further said that the establishment and prioritization of livestock development in Kwara was not accidental but that it reflects leadership foresight, and a clear understanding that the future of Nigeria’s economy lies in productive sectors capable of generating sustainable wealth and employment for our people.

According to her, “The livestock sector in Nigeria holds enormous, untapped opportunities. What we are trying to do is to move beyond subsistence livestock production into a fully commercialized and industrialized sector, and the goals are clear: To Improve productivity; Strengthen value chains; Encourage investment; Create jobs; Promote local production thereby reduce imports and Position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global livestock economy.

“This simply means that we are unlocking the true potential of the sector and in so doing creating opportunities for Nigerians and transforming the economy- moving it from a 32bn economy to over 70bn dollar industry”.

She also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the bold reforms aimed at repositioning the livestock sector for national growth, while commending the efforts of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for prioritising agricultural transformation and livestock development in the state.

The commissioner said, “today, the livestock sector is no longer just about animal husbandry. It is now a strategic economic sector and arguably one of the most promising in Nigeria.”

She listed ongoing programmes such as the Kwara Livestock Entrepreneurship Scheme, the LPRES project, and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), which she described as a “modern agricultural industrial city” designed to attract investors and strengthen value chains.

“The SAPZ hub will include facilities such as cold storage, abattoirs, veterinary clinics, processing plants, power and water infrastructure, and residential accommodation for investors. It is designed to make agribusiness thrive,” she said.

She also noted that Nigeria currently consumes about 1.7 million metric tonnes of milk annually but produces only about 600,000 metric tonnes locally, leaving a deficit of 65 per cent valued at over $1.5 billion in imports.

“This dependence weakens our economy and drains foreign reserves. That is why we are prioritising the dairy value chain in Kwara. We are targeting at least 100,000 metric tonnes, which could inject about $150 million into our economy,” she added.

The commissioner further highlighted opportunities in dairy processing, including butter, cheese, yoghurt, ice cream, and powdered milk, noting that butter imports alone were valued at about $310 million in 2023.

She also revealed that improving livestock productivity through artificial insemination and better breeds could significantly increase farmers’ income. Using a practical illustration, the commissioner explained that a smallholder with 10 improved dairy cows could earn nearly N2.9 million monthly, while a larger farm with 50 cows could generate over N14 million monthly under improved production systems.

Beyond dairy, she said the state government is also targeting meat processing opportunities, including beef, sausage, poultry, and pork products, noting that Nigeria imported over $10 million worth of sausages in 2023. “In 2023, butter imports into Nigeria accounted for a total value of $310 million and if we target 10% of that share in Kwara, that’s thirty one million dollars coming into our economy from butter alone,”she noted.

The commissioner also said that,”Nigeria is one of the top 5 countries importing Dessert and Yogurt with an Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2020 to 2024 of 15.96% and the growth rate of 91.4% from 2023 to 2024, which shows the market‘s potential for further expansion and competition in the coming years.

“We have yoghurt companies in Kwara that need fresh cow milk – so that means there is an opportunity for us as Kwarans to go into Dairy Farming to meet this market opportunity. We also have big partners like Danone/Fan milk, Friesland who can collect as much milk as we can produce and they have milk collection centres across the state and we will also be building more collection centres.

“The second value chain we are prioritizing under the administration of Gov Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is the meat processing value chain: Meat/pork Products- Beef, special premium cuts, sausage, poultry, ham, bacon. In 2023, Nigeria imported $10.1 million worth of sausages- if we target 10%, that’s about 1million dollars coming into Kwara Economy from Sausage.

“We have meat processors/exporters coming into Kwara that will need over 400 cows a day, 1,000 goats and sheep a day and 100 pigs a day.”

She further disclosed that processors and investors are expected to require hundreds of cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs daily, creating massive opportunities for local producers.

Thomas therefore urged youths, women, and farmers to take advantage of the emerging opportunities, encouraging them to join livestock cooperatives and development programmes across the state.

She emphasised that livestock development remains one of the most accessible pathways to wealth creation, stressing that “you do not need a degree to succeed, only training, passion, and commitment.”

She highlighted the role of strategic communication in driving sector growth, noting that effective communication is essential for attracting investment, educating communities, and building confidence in agricultural systems. “We have the population, the land, the market, and the manpower. What we need now is sustained investment and strategic collaboration,” she said.

The commissioner reaffirmed the state’s commitment to building a competitive livestock economy under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and in alignment with national agricultural reforms driven by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She concluded by urging stakeholders to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the sector, adding that “the future is bright, the market is ready, and together we can transform Nigeria’s livestock industry into a global competitor.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Biola Azeez, said the chapel remained one of the most respected professional journalism bodies in Kwara with members spread across national and international media platforms.

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