Nigeria signs trilateral partnership with Brazil, UK to modernise livestock sector

NIGERIA – Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development announced a new trilateral partnership among Brazil, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom through the UK–Brazil–Nigeria Trilateral Initiative for Climate Smart Cattle System to improve livestock productivity in Nigeria. 

The initiative, introduced on 22 February, also known as Livestock 247, aims to support food sufficiency, create jobs, and drive economic growth. It brings together Brazil’s production expertise and the UK’s advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to modernise Nigeria’s livestock systems.

The announcement was made in Abuja during a courtesy visit by representatives of the trilateral initiative. Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the agreement as an urgent strategic step for the livestock sector.

“This partnership is not just about cattle; it is about food security, jobs, and resilience. We are determined to double milk output to 1.4 million tons by 2030 and ensure our livestock sector becomes globally competitive,” he said.

The Minister noted that the initiative will draw on international best practices and adapt proven systems, including artificial intelligence, smart data applications, and digital platforms modelled on European examples, while emphasising technological progress and collaboration to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The initiative will identify and assess near-market digital livestock tools, including smart collars, sensor systems, environmental monitoring devices, and digital animal test records. It will also strengthen disease surveillance and precision animal health systems using data-enabled approaches.

Speaking for the delegation, epidemiologist Professor Alex Cook said that technology has changed many sectors over the last 20 years and can now transform livestock farming.

“If we integrate this information into a shared data platform and apply machine learning and artificial intelligence, we can generate rapid, innovative insights to improve feeding systems, enhance productivity, build resilience, increase profitability, and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities,” Cook said.

He pointed to Brazil’s success in transforming its livestock sector over the past 30 to 40 years, noting that livestock now contributes strongly to Brazil’s economy. He added that similarities in climate between Brazil and parts of Nigeria create opportunities for knowledge sharing. While the UK’s livestock systems are different, he said the UK offers strong expertise in data analytics and artificial intelligence.

Livestock market outlook in Nigeria

Nigeria’s livestock sector is a major economic force, contributing over $32 billion to the nation’s GDP, with government plans to raise this figure to $74 billion within the next decade. Around 40.2 million households practice agriculture, and a significant share depend on livestock for income and food security.

Despite this importance, productivity remains low due to poor infrastructure, limited access to improved breeds, inadequate feed supply chains, and weak veterinary services.

Modernisation efforts have been attempted before, notably through the Nigeria Livestock Master Plan and the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy launched in 2025, an initiative that sought to tackle food insecurity by boosting productivity, improving animal health systems, and modernising value chains.

While these strategies helped put livestock firmly on the policy agenda and created frameworks for modernisation, they did not resolve Nigeria’s food insecurity issues in a transformative way.

Other African countries have experimented with livestock modernisation with measurable results.

Rwanda, for example, implemented the Girinka program, also known as the One Cow per Poor Family initiative, in 2006. The program improved household incomes, increased milk production, and reduced child malnutrition. 

Ethiopia has also invested in commercial dairy clusters, leading to higher urban milk supply and improved smallholder participation in formal markets.
Looking ahead, Nigeria envisions itself as a continental leader in livestock production. As Minister Maiha concluded, “Nigeria is not just catching up; we are setting the pace for livestock transformation in Africa.”

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