FG Moves to Create Single Database for Nigeria's Livestock Sector

"The development of a robust institutional framework remains one of the Ministry's key priorities since its establishment, noting that the livestock sector holds immense potential for food security, job creation and economic growth." Akujobi, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Livestock Development 

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has commenced the validation of the National Livestock Information Management System (NLIMS), a digital platform designed to centralise livestock data and enhance evidence-based decision-making across Nigeria's livestock industry.

Speaking at the validation session held in Abuja on Thursday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, described the initiative as a significant step towards building a modern, productive and globally competitive livestock sector.

Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Stephen Ohaeri, Akujobi said the development of a robust institutional framework remains one of the Ministry's key priorities since its establishment, noting that the livestock sector holds immense potential for food security, job creation and economic growth.

She explained that critical information on animal populations, production systems, markets, animal health, value chains and sector performance is currently scattered across multiple sources, making effective planning, monitoring and coordination difficult.

According to her, the National Livestock Information Management System was conceived to address this challenge by providing a unified platform for data collection, management, analysis and reporting.

"The NLIMS is a strategic institutional tool that will support evidence-based policymaking, strengthen programme monitoring, enhance sector oversight and provide the reliable data required to guide investment decisions and measure impact across the livestock ecosystem," she said.

Akujobi noted that the validation exercise was aimed at reviewing the platform's architecture and prototype to ensure it aligns with the Ministry's operational requirements and can support long-term livestock information management nationwide.

She urged stakeholders participating in the exercise to provide constructive feedback to strengthen the platform before its deployment.

Developers of the system, during a technical presentation, highlighted several features of the platform, including mobile and web-based data collection, integration with existing Ministry databases, automated data exchange with partner institutions, multi-layer validation processes and centralised data warehousing.

They explained that the platform would aggregate information from field officers, state coordinators, livestock associations, development partners, Ministry departments and other relevant institutions, creating what they described as a "single source of truth" for livestock data in Nigeria.

The system also includes modules covering livestock population and production, markets and trade intelligence, infrastructure and services, institutional actors, planning and reporting, conflict management, as well as animal identification and traceability.

According to the developers, the platform will provide real-time access to critical information needed for policy formulation, programme implementation, resource allocation, investment planning and performance monitoring throughout the livestock value chain.

The validation exercise featured a live demonstration of the prototype, showcasing how data can be collected, verified and transformed into actionable intelligence through interactive dashboards and reporting tools.

Participants expressed optimism that the successful deployment of the system would strengthen data governance, improve institutional coordination and enhance the Ministry's capacity to drive the sustainable development of Nigeria's livestock sector.