FG Rolls Out Nationwide Livestock Tagging, Urges Herders to Embrace Modern Practices

Idi Mukhtar Maiha 
Nigeria's Minister of Livestock Development Ministry 

"Pastoralist associations remain critical partners in ensuring herders benefit from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development's programmes and reforms." Maiha.

.... Urges pastoralists to take advantage of government initiatives on ranching, animal health services, improved breeding, pasture development and extension support, noting that modern livestock production would boost incomes while ensuring environmental sustainability.

The Federal Government has urged the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and other pastoralist groups to mobilise their members to adopt modern livestock production practices as part of efforts to transform Nigeria's livestock sector.

Speaking at the National Conference of MACBAN in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said pastoralist associations remain critical partners in ensuring herders benefit from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development's programmes and reforms.

Maiha announced that the ministry would soon launch the National Animal Identification, Tagging and Traceability System, a nationwide digital registration programme for cattle, sheep and goats. He said the initiative would improve livestock traceability, strengthen animal health management, boost access to international meat markets, and help curb cattle rustling and farmer-herder conflicts.

He disclosed that pastoralist associations remain critical partners in ensuring herders benefit from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development's programmes and reforms.

He urged pastoralists to take advantage of government initiatives on ranching, animal health services, improved breeding, pasture development and extension support, noting that modern livestock production would boost incomes while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Maiha announced that the ministry would soon launch the National Animal Identification, Tagging and Traceability System, a nationwide digital registration programme for cattle, sheep and goats. He said the initiative would improve livestock traceability, strengthen animal health management, boost access to international meat markets, and help curb cattle rustling and farmer-herder conflicts. owners would be required to register and tag their animals, urging MACBAN and other pastoralist associations to sensitise members and ensure full compliance.

The Minister also highlighted ongoing interventions, including the rehabilitation of veterinary clinics, expansion of water infrastructure, promotion of commercial pasture and fodder production, and partnerships to improve the genetic quality of indigenous livestock breeds.

He stressed that unlocking the enormous potential of Nigeria's livestock industry would require sustained collaboration among government, pastoralists, development partners and the private sector.

In his address, MACBAN National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the conference as a platform for dialogue and practical solutions to build a peaceful, climate-resilient and globally competitive livestock industry. He expressed concern over insecurity, climate change, desertification, shrinking grazing resources and encroachment on grazing reserves.

Ngelzarma condemned terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling, insisting that criminality should not be linked to any ethnic group, religion or occupation. He pledged the association's continued cooperation with security agencies and advocated greater investment in climate-smart livestock production, pasture development, water infrastructure and sustainable land-use planning.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a landmark step towards repositioning the livestock industry. He reaffirmed the traditional institution's support for peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists and urged MACBAN members to reject cattle rustling and other criminal activities.

The conference also witnessed the presentation of an Award of Excellence to Minister Maiha by MACBAN in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria's livestock sector.

The statement was signed by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Department, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.