…says over 700,000 livestock workers have also been rendered jobless

Nigeria is incurring an annual economic loss of N23 billion and forfeiting approximately 700,000 jobs due to the widespread consumption of hide and skin, commonly referred to as ‘ponmo,’ the Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Maiha, has revealed.

Addressing a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Friday, Maiha underscored the economic and health hazards associated with the practice. He cautioned that the processing and consumption methods of animal skin pose significant cancer risks, urging Nigerians to reconsider their dietary choices.

The minister outlined an ambitious strategy to expand Nigeria’s livestock market from its current valuation of $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035.

He detailed the sector’s projected contributions to the national economy between 2025 and 2030, aiming to position Nigeria among the leading global players in the livestock industry, alongside Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.

Maiha identified key objectives of the ministry, including boosting livestock production, improving animal health, enhancing food security, fostering inclusivity in the sector, and strengthening governance and regulatory frameworks.

To drive growth, he disclosed that Nigeria has established strategic partnerships with international investors, agencies, and diplomatic missions to secure technical expertise, financing, and investment in the livestock industry.

Countries involved in these collaborations include Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

According to Maiha, these partnerships will focus on enhancing meat processing, dairy production, animal health, feed production, and cold-chain logistics.

At the event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted that the ministerial briefing serves as a platform to showcase the achievements of the Tinubu administration across various economic sectors.

Idris noted that the Ministries of Livestock Development and Regional Development were recently established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to harness the country’s livestock potential and promote regional economic growth.

He emphasised that the Ministry of Livestock Development, created in July 2024, aims to transform Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar livestock sector into a driver of economic prosperity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Regional Development, established in October 2024, is tasked with overseeing regional development commissions.

The ministerial briefing reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry, fostering sustainable development, and creating employment opportunities.