FG Moves to Launch Mega Livestock Hub in Abuja

...... As Maiha reaffirms Livestock ministry’s commitment to ensuring the smooth take-off and operation of the proposed ABIS Mega Livestock Processing Facility.

..... Say "collaboration with stakeholders would be critical to the project’s success.

"The government is working closely with ABIS Group, LPRES, and other key partners to drive a “cohesive, collaborative and energetic approach” to the development and implementation of the facility."

The Federal Government has intensified plans to establish a major agro-industrial business hub in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as part of efforts to boost Nigeria’s livestock value chain and stimulate economic growth.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance on Monday during a high-level tripartite briefing and strategic engagement involving the ministry, ABIS Group, and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (LPRES) project in Abuja.

Maiha reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the smooth take-off and operation of the proposed ABIS Mega Livestock Processing Facility, noting that collaboration with stakeholders would be critical to the project’s success.

According to him, the government is working closely with ABIS Group, LPRES, and other key partners to drive a “cohesive, collaborative and energetic approach” to the development and implementation of the facility.

The meeting followed Nigeria’s participation in an international training programme on pastoral market access, quality assurance, and inclusive contracting models held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the auspices of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the African Pastoral Market Development (APMD) platform.

Speaking at the event, ABIS Team Leader, Emmanuel Usman, expressed appreciation to the minister for facilitating the group’s participation in the training, which brought together stakeholders from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

Similarly, LPRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, commended the minister for his inclusive approach and support in enabling the group’s international engagement.

The General Manager of ABIS Group, Kujo Reigans, presented detailed feedback from the training, highlighting key lessons on improving pastoral market systems, strengthening quality assurance frameworks, and promoting inclusive contracting within Nigeria’s livestock sector.

He identified several priority areas discussed during the programme, including the need for a unified and standardised quality assurance system to enhance efficiency, traceability, and competitiveness in the industry.

Reigans also pointed to opportunities for funding support from the Development Bank of Nigeria to scale up livestock processing operations, while drawing attention to challenges such as visa bottlenecks affecting expatriates involved in the Abuja project.

He called for streamlined processes to facilitate smoother project implementation and ensure timely delivery of the livestock hub.

The proposed agro-industrial hub is expected to serve as a critical driver of investment, job creation, and modernization within Nigeria’s livestock industry.