Organised stakeholders in Nigeria’s cattle industry have positioned the sector as a potential economic powerhouse, capable of diversifying the nation’s oil-dependent economy and generating substantial revenue. At a recent gathering in Port Harcourt, representatives of the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) highlighted the sector’s vast value chain, from rearing to meat processing, as a critical contributor to national economic growth. The association, established in 2021 and officially inaugurated in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to transform livestock from a subsistence activity into a commercial enterprise, creating jobs and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
The urgency of the sector’s development is underscored by the losses inflicted by cattle rustling. Sarki Yau Mogodi, Paramount Chief of the Fulani in Rivers State, revealed that over four million cows have been stolen from 2014 to 2025, with accompanying violence and extortion at checkpoints. Mogodi, a prominent cattle breeder, described the value chain as a 'gold mine' comparable to oil and gas, emphasizing its untapped potential to generate revenue through meat, hides, leather, and export chains. However, he lamented the persistent challenges, including clashes between herders and farmers, security threats, and inadequate government support.
NACDPAMN’s leadership, including President Iliyasu Bulama and Rivers State chapter chairman Godspower Eke, has called for multi-stakeholder collaboration to secure the sector. Eke noted that the association’s mission aligns with Tinubu’s vision to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on oil by leveraging livestock’s growth potential. The president of the Myeltti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngezarma, added that Nigeria spends over $2 billion annually on milk imports, despite having a large cattle population. He urged the government to prioritize policies that curb theft and enhance traceability in the supply chain.
The association’s efforts come amid heightened tensions between herders and farmers, exacerbated by incidents like the 2020 SARS protests, when Fulani camps in Rivers State were attacked, resulting in the killing of 21 cows and two people. Mogodi criticized the lack of accountability from authorities, stating that such attacks have eroded trust in government institutions. He also highlighted the need for education and economic opportunities for Fulani youth, advocating for the creation of a Fulani Youth Development Commission to address systemic challenges.
Public-interest implications of the cattle sector’s growth extend beyond economics. Stakeholders argue that a robust livestock industry could alleviate poverty, stabilize food security, and reduce conflicts over land and resources. However, they stress that success hinges on addressing security concerns, implementing anti-rustling measures, and fostering dialogue between herders and farming communities. The establishment of the Livestock Development Ministry in 2024 has been hailed as a step in the right direction, though critics say more concrete actions are needed.
Despite these challenges, NACDPAMN remains committed to its goals. Eke emphasized that the association seeks to position Nigeria as a regional leader in livestock production, leveraging its vast grazing lands and cattle population. Mogodi, meanwhile, called for urgent government intervention to protect herders and ensure the sector’s sustainability. 'Education is the key to socio-economic development,' he said, urging policymakers to invest in Fulani youth to prevent further marginalization.
The road ahead requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders. As Nigeria grapples with economic diversification, the cattle value chain offers a promising avenue for growth—if managed with the urgency and resources it demands. For now, the sector’s potential remains a work in progress, with stakeholders advocating for systemic reforms to unlock its full economic impact.
The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) was established in 2021 and inaugurated in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The association includes dealers, processors, breeders, and marketers, with a mandate to commercialize the livestock sector. Its leadership, including Godspower Eke and Iliyasu Bulama, has been vocal about the need for government support to address challenges like cattle rustling and herder-farmer conflicts.
Sarki Yau Mogodi, a Fulani leader in Rivers State, has been a prominent voice in advocating for the sector’s development. He has highlighted the loss of over four million cows to rustlers and called for policies to protect herders. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions, including attacks on Fulani camps during the 2020 SARS protests, which he described as a failure of government accountability.
The Myeltti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), led by Baba Othman Ngezarma, has also emphasized the economic losses from cattle theft and the need for improved security. Ngezarma noted that Nigeria’s $2 billion annual milk imports underscore the sector’s untapped potential, urging the government to prioritize livestock development to reduce dependency on imports.
NACDPAMN’s vision aligns with broader national goals to diversify the economy. However, stakeholders stress that without addressing security, taxation, and land-use conflicts, the sector’s growth will remain constrained. The association’s call for a Fulani Youth Development Commission reflects a broader push for inclusive policies that address the socio-economic challenges facing herder communities.
The cattle value chain’s success depends on sustained investment, policy reforms, and collaboration between government, industry leaders, and local communities. As Nigeria seeks to reduce its reliance on oil, the livestock sector offers a critical opportunity to drive economic resilience and stability, provided the necessary measures are implemented to ensure its long-term viability.
The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) was established in 2021 and inaugurated in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The association includes dealers, processors, breeders, and marketers, with a mandate to commercialize the livestock sector. Its leadership, including Godspower Eke and Iliyasu Bulama, has been vocal about the need for government support to address challenges like cattle rustling and herder-farmer conflicts.
Sarki Yau Mogodi, a Fulani leader in Rivers State, has been a prominent voice in advocating for the sector’s development. He has highlighted the loss of over four million cows to rustlers and called for policies to protect herders. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions, including attacks on Fulani camps during the 2020 SARS protests, which he described as a failure of government accountability.
The Myeltti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), led by Baba Othman Ngezarma, has also emphasized the economic losses from cattle theft and the need for improved security. Ngezarma noted that Nigeria’s $2 billion annual milk imports underscore the sector’s untapped potential, urging the government to prioritize livestock development to reduce dependency on imports.
NACDPAMN’s vision aligns with broader national goals to diversify the economy. However, stakeholders stress that without addressing security, taxation, and land-use conflicts, the sector’s growth will remain constrained. The association’s call for a Fulani Youth Development Commission reflects a broader push for inclusive policies that address the socio-economic challenges facing herder communities.
The cattle value chain’s success depends on sustained investment, policy reforms, and collaboration between government, industry leaders, and local communities. As Nigeria seeks to reduce its reliance on oil, the livestock sector offers a critical opportunity to drive economic resilience and stability, provided the necessary measures are implemented to ensure its long-term viability.
The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) was established in 2021 and inaugurated in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The association includes dealers, processors, breeders, and marketers, with a mandate to commercialize the livestock sector. Its leadership, including Godspower Eke and Iliyasu Bulama, has been vocal about the need for government support to address challenges like cattle rustling and herder-farmer conflicts.
Sarki Yau Mogodi, a Fulani leader in Rivers State, has been a prominent voice in advocating for the sector’s development. He has highlighted the loss of over four million cows to rustlers and called for policies to protect herders. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions, including attacks on Fulani camps during the 2020 SARS protests, which he described as a failure of government accountability.
The Myeltti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), led by Baba Othman Ngezarma, has also emphasized the economic losses from cattle theft and the need for improved security. Ngezarma noted that Nigeria’s $2 billion annual milk imports underscore the sector’s untapped potential, urging the government to prioritize livestock development to reduce dependency on imports.
NACDPAMN’s vision aligns with broader national goals to diversify the economy. However, stakeholders stress that without addressing security, taxation, and land-use conflicts, the sector’s growth will remain constrained. The association’s call for a Fulani Youth Development Commission reflects a broader push for inclusive policies that address the socio-economic challenges facing herder communities.
The cattle value chain’s success depends on sustained investment, policy reforms, and collaboration between government, industry leaders, and local communities. As Nigeria seeks to reduce its reliance on oil, the livestock sector offers a critical opportunity to drive economic resilience and stability, provided the necessary measures are implemented to ensure its long-term viability.