Saturday, February 22, 2025 - Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Maiha has said that the widespread consumption of hide and skin, commonly known as ‘kpomo,’ is costing Nigeria at least N23 billion annually and depriving the country of approximately 700,000 jobs.
Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Friday, February 21,
Maiha highlighted the economic and health risks associated with the practice.
He warned that the methods used in processing and consuming animal skin could
lead to cancer, urging Nigerians to reconsider their dietary habits.
The minister unveiled an ambitious plan to expand Nigeria’s livestock
market from its current $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035. He outlined the
sector’s expected contributions to the national economy between 2025 and 2030,
positioning Nigeria as a key player in both domestic and international markets
alongside global leaders such as Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.
Maiha stated that the ministry’s primary objectives include boosting
livestock production, improving animal health, enhancing food security,
promoting inclusivity in the sector, and strengthening governance and
regulations.
He further announced that Nigeria has forged strategic partnerships with
international investors, agencies, and diplomatic missions to secure 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 opportunities in
meat processing, dairy production, animal health, feed production, and
cold-chain logistics.
“These partnerships will be instrumental in positioning Nigeria as a
regional and global hub for livestock production and export,” he stated.
At the event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed
Idris, emphasized that the ministerial briefing serves as a platform to
showcase the achievements of the Tinubu administration across various economic
sectors.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the second edition of the 2025
Ministerial Press Briefing Series. As you may recall, on Tuesday, February 11,
2025, I inaugurated this year’s series by highlighting key successes of
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Idris said.
He highlighted that the Ministries of Livestock Development and Regional
Development were recently established by President Tinubu to harness the
potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry and drive regional development across
the country.
“The Ministry of Livestock Development was created in July 2024 to
transform Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar livestock potential into real economic
prosperity, while the Ministry of Regional Development was established in
October 2024 to oversee regional development commissions. Both ministries have
hit the ground running, and today’s briefing provides an opportunity to
showcase their progress,” he added.
The ministerial session reaffirmed the government’s commitment to
unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry, promoting
sustainable development, and creating jobs.
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