The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey (L), presenting a plaque to the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha during the courtesy visit.
By Anietie Akpan
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has declared that Nigeria’s ₦33 trillion livestock industry remains vastly underutilized.
The Minister who said this during a courtesy visit on Governor Bassey Otu on Tuesday, outlined the Federal Government’s strategy to modernize the sector, including improved livestock management systems, strengthened disease control measures, and expansion of rural infrastructure to support livestock farming.
In a press release dated February 11 by Comrade Nsa Gill, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Cross River State, the Minister described Obudu Cattle Ranch as a “low-hanging fruit” for the Federal Government’s ambitious livestock transformation agenda.
Maiha reaffirmed that the Ranch has the potential to become a major player in Nigeria’s beef and dairy industry as he reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the Ranch into livestock and dairy production hub.
He also revealed that Nigeria has secured a $2.5 billion investment commitment from Brazilian investors, aimed at accelerating livestock sector innovation and expansion.
Maiha however emphasized that the success of these initiatives would require robust partnerships between federal and state governments, traditional rulers, and pastoralist organizations, ensuring that policies translate into tangible benefits for local communities and drive national economic growth.
On his part, Governor Otu commended the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Obudu Cattle Ranch into a major hub for livestock and dairy production in Nigeria.
Speaking through his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Governor Otu described the initiative as a welcome development highlighting Obudu’s unique climate, rich biodiversity, and vast landmass as key advantages for large-scale livestock farming and dairy production.
Governor Otu emphasized that global economic shifts provide an opportunity for Nigeria to expand its agricultural exports and attract agribusiness investments.
He urged stakeholders to leverage agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, shifting from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial production.
“Nigeria’s economic future depends on our ability to fully harness our agricultural and livestock resources. Large-scale investments in agriculture will enhance food security, create jobs, and boost foreign exchange earnings,” he stated.
Reaffirming Cross River State’s commitment to agricultural expansion, Governor Otu cited the state’s thriving cocoa sector as an example of strategic investment in agriculture and called for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to attract investment and modernize the agricultural value chain.
“We seek increased investments in local communities to ensure that development is sustainable and inclusive. As international funding from institutions like the World Bank begins to support large-scale agricultural transformation, Cross River State must be a priority beneficiary,” he added.
The Governor also encouraged youth, women, and traditional leaders to actively engage in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, ensuring that government initiatives have a direct socio-economic impact on rural communities.
With the Federal Government’s renewed focus on agriculture and livestock development, the revitalization of Obudu Cattle Ranch presents a unique opportunity for economic transformation in Cross River State.
Governor Otu’s administration remains committed to partnering with federal authorities and private investors to fully harness the state’s agricultural potential, delivering long-term benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs, and the broader economy.