FG Partners Butchers to Modernise Abattoirs, Position Nigeria as Major Meat Exporter
Livestock Minister urges investment in modern processing facilities, says reforms will unlock jobs, boost food safety and strengthen livestock value chain
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has announced plans to partner with the National Union of Butchery Workers/National Butchers Union of Nigeria to modernise abattoirs across the country as part of a comprehensive strategy to transform Nigeria’s livestock value chain, improve meat quality and position the country as a major exporter of livestock products.
The commitment was made by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, while receiving the leadership of the National Union of Butchery Workers on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
The development was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and signed by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, on July 30, 2026.
Speaking during the meeting, Maiha described the butchers’ union as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s livestock value chain, acknowledging its indispensable role in meat production and national food security.
He commended the association for its contributions to the sector and assured members of the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with them in driving reforms aimed at repositioning the livestock industry as a major contributor to economic growth.
According to the Minister, the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reflects the Federal Government’s determination to unlock the enormous economic potential of the livestock sector.
“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development underscores the Federal Government’s recognition of the enormous economic potential of the livestock sector and its determination to reposition it as a major contributor to national development,” Maiha said.
He stressed that stakeholder engagement would remain central to the Ministry’s policy formulation, adding that regular consultations would ensure government programmes effectively address the needs of operators across the livestock value chain.
Maiha reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to modernising livestock production through investments in ranching, improved pastoral practices, modern abattoirs, cold chain infrastructure, milk collection centres and other critical facilities designed to improve productivity, hygiene and value addition.
The Minister lamented that many slaughter facilities across the country no longer meet acceptable standards, stressing the need to replace outdated practices with modern, hygienic and internationally compliant abattoirs.
“Many existing slaughter facilities no longer meet acceptable standards, making it imperative to replace obsolete practices with modern, hygienic and internationally compliant abattoirs,” he stated.
He disclosed that the Ministry would support specialised training and capacity-building programmes to equip personnel with the skills required to efficiently operate modern abattoirs and meat processing facilities nationwide.
Maiha also urged members of the union to embrace the ongoing reforms by investing in commercial abattoirs and taking advantage of financing opportunities offered by development finance institutions to expand their businesses.
According to him, Nigeria possesses the livestock resources, land, feed and market required to emerge as a major exporter of quality meat products, provided industry operators align with international standards.
He added that modernising the livestock value chain would create significant economic opportunities through the processing of hides, skins, blood, bones and other animal by-products, generating thousands of jobs, creating wealth and stimulating industrial development.
The Minister further revealed that the Ministry is implementing plans to establish cold storage facilities across the federation to reduce post-slaughter losses, improve food safety and expand employment opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians.
He therefore called on the National Butchers Union to support the Federal Government’s reform agenda by embracing innovation, improved hygiene standards and modern processing technologies capable of making Nigerian meat products competitive in regional and international markets.
Earlier, the Deputy National President of the National Union of Butchery Workers, Alhaji Biliamin Elesinmeta, commended the Minister for what he described as his visionary leadership and commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s livestock sector.
“The establishment of the Ministry has renewed hope for sustainable livestock development and significantly advanced efforts aimed at promoting livestock business while reducing conflicts between farmers and pastoralists,” Elesinmeta said.
He appealed to the Ministry to facilitate the construction of modern standard abattoirs in all state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory to improve meat processing, ensure compliance with international export standards and boost foreign exchange earnings.
Elesinmeta also requested the provision of refrigerated meat vans for major abattoirs nationwide to guarantee hygienic transportation and preserve the quality of meat products from slaughterhouses to markets.
The union further urged the Federal Government to include its members in the implementation of the forthcoming Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, proposing that the association be engaged as a major supplier of meat to schools across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
