In a strategic effort to enhance Nigeria’s livestock industry, kakalistiq.com Rep. Wale Raji, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, hosted a high-level delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in his office.
According to a statement by his Senior Legislative Aide on Media and Youth Affairs, Kaka Babatunde, the meeting focused on strengthening partnerships to drive investments in livestock production and agribusiness.
Key officials present included Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development; Martin Fregene, Director of the Agriculture & Agro-Industry Department (AHAI) at AfDB; Tabi Karikari, Chief Agro-Industry Officer at AfDB’s Nigeria Country Department (RDNG); Sule Ochai, Senior Consultant for Agricultural Policy in AfDB’s Agriculture & Agro-Industry Department; Ihedioha Onyema Damian, Division Manager of AHAI 1 at AfDB; and Mbaram Richard-Mark, Embed Advisor for Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships at the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Office.
Discussions centered on AfDB’s potential role in providing financial and technical support to modernize Nigeria’s livestock sector, with an emphasis on food security, job creation, and economic diversification. Given Nigeria’s increasing demand for animal protein, stakeholders highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, disease control measures, and innovative funding mechanisms to support livestock farmers.
Rep. Raji, who represents Epe Federal Constituency in Lagos State, stressed the importance of AfDB’s involvement in advancing modern ranching systems, enhancing dairy and meat production, and creating sustainable livestock value chains. The meeting also explored policy reforms to attract private-sector investment and drive long-term growth in the industry.
This engagement is expected to lay the foundation for strategic collaborations that will not only strengthen Nigeria’s livestock economy but also position the country as a leading force in Africa’s agribusiness sector.
