FG Moves to Digitise Livestock Sector, Targets Africa Leadership in Cattle Tracking
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to deploy advanced identification and tracking systems in Nigeria’s livestock sector, positioning the country to take a continental lead in modern livestock management and traceability.
The disclosure was contained in a press statement issued by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology firm in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said Nigeria must urgently adopt innovative solutions to address longstanding inefficiencies in the sector.
“It has become a major challenge that the country is unable to effectively manage the number of livestock due to poor breeding and maintenance systems,” the minister stated.
Maiha noted that Nigeria’s livestock population—estimated at over 50 million cattle and millions of smaller ruminants—has remained largely unmanaged due to structural and policy gaps.
“Our livestock sector is constrained by deeply entrenched traditional practices, insecurity, weak infrastructure, and policy implementation failures,” he said, adding that the sector has historically suffered neglect compared to crop farming.
He emphasised that adopting modern tracking technologies would improve transparency and efficiency across the value chain.
“Key strategies such as tracking, traceability, proof of ownership, and improved export potential are critical to repositioning the sector,” Maiha explained.
The minister further revealed that the government would establish a technical committee to develop practical frameworks for implementing livestock identification systems nationwide.
“We will set up an in-house committee to examine the issues raised and develop workable strategies and modalities for cattle identification and tracking,” he said.
According to him, the initiative will leverage innovative technologies tailored to Nigeria’s environment to enhance socio-economic value chain management.
“The challenges are enormous, but this administration is taking bold and holistic steps to address them,” Maiha added, assuring stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to reforms.
He also commended the visiting delegation, led by Daniel Omofoman for introducing technological solutions to support the sector.
Earlier, Omofoman explained that the visit aimed to secure government endorsement for livestock identification as a national priority.
“Our goal is to collaborate with the ministry to deploy digital infrastructure that will enable proper livestock visibility and support sustainable development in line with the ministry’s mandate,” he said.
He further sought the minister’s approval for the adoption of RFID technology as a nationwide system for livestock tracking, noting that it would enhance data accuracy, security, and productivity.
Analysts say the proposed digitisation of livestock management could significantly reduce farmer-herder conflicts, curb cattle rustling, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global livestock markets if effectively implemented.
