NAPRI, Ahmadu Bello University Forms Committee for New Livestock Ministry Roles

The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has established an eighteen-member committee to develop a position paper on the expected roles of the institute in the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

Inaugurated last week by Executive Director Prof. Mohammed Rabiu Hassan, the committee aims to leverage NAPRI's expertise to support the new ministry. It is tasked with articulating NAPRI's views on the ministry's functions and defining the institute's contributions to livestock development in Nigeria.

Chaired by Prof. P.I. Rekwot, the committee will compile NAPRI's research in livestock development and detail training initiatives offered to various states and organizations. It will also explore how the institute can assist in different segments of the ministry and prepare papers and seminars regarding the ministry's expected roles.

Prof. Hassan encouraged committee members to include additional recommendations to enhance the position paper, noting that many of the ministry's roles align with NAPRI's mandates under CAP. A14, Statute 20 of the Laws of the Federation.

This initiative follows the National Livestock Reforms Committee's recommendation on September 14, 2023, for the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to address long-standing conflicts between herders and farmers. On July 9, 2024, the Federal Government inaugurated the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee to tackle these issues and improve agricultural productivity.

The Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee submitted its inception report to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 19, 2024, outlining operational guidelines for the new ministry.