Minister of Livestock Development Commissions Critical Research Infrastructure at NAPRI

Four strategic intervention projects provided by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) have been officially commissioned.

The projects, delivered through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), aim to strengthen research programmes in dairy, beef, and small ruminants at the institute.

The commissioning ceremony took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at NAPRI’s headquarters in Shika, Zaria, and was presided over by the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha.

The interventions include the construction of a 500-tonne-per-annum hay barn, a single-line 10-tonnes-per-hour pasture seed processing unit, and a 20-tonnes-per-annum pasture seed drying shade. In addition, four solar-powered boreholes were installed at NAPRI headquarters, alongside one solar-powered borehole at the institute’s outpost in Yobe.

Addressing attendees, Minister Maiha described the occasion as “very significant,” noting that the projects were strategically designed with scalability in mind to support the institute’s critical research programmes. He emphasised that access to pasture and water is essential for livestock production in Nigeria and expressed confidence that the interventions would enhance NAPRI’s capacity to develop climate-smart, drought-tolerant pasture seeds suitable for local conditions.

The Minister further highlighted that the projects would position NAPRI as a hub for both local and international pasture seed and hay commercialization. He also announced plans to renovate the institute’s artificial insemination and embryo transfer unit as part of ongoing support for NAPRI.

According to Maiha, NAPRI was established as a centre of research excellence, tasked with developing and disseminating innovations and appropriate technologies through demand-driven research in genetic and reproductive improvement of livestock species. He stated that the L-PRES interventions align with the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda, reinforcing critical programmes at the institute.

The Minister was accompanied by the Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Matters, Professor Attahiru Jega, and several directors from the Ministry. Following the commissioning ceremony, he was taken on a guided tour of NAPRI’s facilities by the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Professor Adamu Ahmed, and the Acting Director of the institute, Professor Mohammed Rabiu Hassan.