Nigeria Deepens Livestock Reform Agenda as FUNAAB Alumni Convention Pushes Agriculture-Led Growth Strategy

Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta has become the focal point of national economic discourse as policymakers, development partners, and global alumni converged for the 28th Global Convention and 27th Annual Lecture Series of its Alumni Association, spotlighting livestock development as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.

The event, themed “Crafting a Sustainable Business & Human Wellbeing,” brought together stakeholders across government, academia, and industry to examine how agriculture—particularly livestock production—can drive long-term national growth, food security, and export competitiveness.

A key policy highlight came from the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, who outlined a national roadmap aimed at scaling Nigeria’s livestock economy from an estimated $32 billion to $74 billion within the next decade. Represented by Mr. Richard-Mark Mbaram, Senior Special Adviser on Knowledge Management and Communication, the Minister described the sector as a structured business ecosystem rather than subsistence agriculture.

He noted that the establishment of a dedicated livestock ministry under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked a historic policy shift designed to unlock value across meat, dairy, poultry, and allied industries. The strategy is anchored on the National Livestock Transformation Plan, alongside targeted financing and infrastructure development programmes.

The Minister also highlighted a $300 million intervention from the African Development Bank aimed at strengthening feed production, animal health systems, breed improvement, and rural infrastructure. In addition, Nigeria’s participation in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme has attracted over $530 million in investment into Ogun State, signalling growing investor confidence in the sector.

A further policy component includes a $20 million grant supporting school feeding initiatives, designed to improve child nutrition while simultaneously creating stable demand for locally produced livestock products.

Delivering a lecture titled “A Megatrend Approach to Creating Long-Term Business and Investment in an Evolving Economy,” industrialist Alhaji Goke Adeyemi stressed that Nigeria’s most immediate economic gains lie in fixing structural inefficiencies in agriculture rather than relying solely on advanced technologies. He identified post-harvest losses—estimated at up to 50 percent—as a critical bottleneck limiting sectoral productivity.

He argued that investment priority should focus on cold-chain logistics, agro-processing, and market infrastructure, describing reliability and distribution systems as more urgent than high-end innovation in the short term.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the alumni network as a strategic development partner. He highlighted ongoing alumni-driven initiatives including a 2,000-hectare farm hub, transport systems, and student support schemes, positioning them as practical contributions to institutional and national development.

The convention also featured a goodwill message from the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Dr. Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, represented by former FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, who reaffirmed traditional leadership support for the university’s developmental role in the region.

Alumni Association President Otunba Bolaji Gbadamosi described the gathering as both a progress review and a strategic mobilisation platform. With active chapters across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, the association continues to expand its footprint through scholarships, mentorship programmes, and food security interventions.

A major outcome of the convention was the launch of the Maiden Alumni Compendium and a proposed partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to transform the university’s farm hub into a national innovation and demonstration centre aligned with Nigeria’s food security objectives.

The event concluded with awards to key contributors and a guided tour of the university’s renewable energy infrastructure, including a 3.4MW hybrid solar power plant and the FUNAAB Alpha Unit, which houses the Animal Demonstration Laboratory.