Nigeria, Denmark Deepen Livestock Partnership with New Pact to Boost Food Security, Animal Health
By Pan Afric Reporters
Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark have signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at transforming the livestock sector, strengthening food safety systems, combating animal diseases, and enhancing agricultural innovation as part of efforts to improve food and nutrition security across the country.
The development was announced in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and signed by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, on June 8, 2026.
The agreement, a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the second phase of the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) Programme in Livestock Production, was signed in Abuja between the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the growing partnership between both countries.
“This is a reaffirmation of a partnership that has evolved into a model of international cooperation and a renewed commitment to delivering measurable outcomes for livestock producers, regulators, processors, and consumers,” the minister said.
Maiha noted that the collaboration has already yielded substantial benefits for Nigeria, including the training of more than 100 government officials in critical areas such as food and feed safety management, animal disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance control, climate adaptation, and veterinary regulation.
He also announced the commencement of a joint antimicrobial resistance pilot programme in Oyo and Kano states, describing it as one of the practical outcomes of the partnership.
According to the minister, the new phase of the programme is expected to accelerate livestock transformation, improve disease prevention mechanisms, strengthen food safety standards, and position Nigeria’s livestock industry to compete effectively in global markets.
The Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, said Phase II of the cooperation would move beyond institutional strengthening to focus on implementation and direct impact.
“Phase II will concentrate on field-based interventions, disease prevention, biosecurity, surveillance systems, and direct support to farmers and livestock value chains,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, Eva Edwards, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration on feed management, food safety, traceability systems, veterinary drug regulation, and data sharing.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation would help build more resilient and sustainable food safety systems capable of protecting consumers while supporting agricultural growth.
Representing the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Alex Sigersen praised the commitment demonstrated by Nigerian institutions and stakeholders.
He expressed confidence that the next phase of the programme would translate years of technical cooperation into tangible benefits for farmers, livestock producers, communities, and the wider agricultural sector.
The ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, alongside directors and senior ministry officials, representatives of NAFDAC, and senior officials from the Danish Embassy and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
The renewed partnership underscores both countries’ commitment to building a resilient, modern, and globally competitive livestock industry capable of driving economic growth, improving food security, and enhancing the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
