the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria declared on Sunday that Nigeria earns about $1.2bn annually through the export of hides and skin from the livestock sector.

MACBAN, an advocacy group centred on promoting the welfare of pastoralists in Nigeria, said the country’s livestock sector is currently valued at over N33tn, adding that with the envisaged new investments, it is estimated to grow to over N75tn in a few years.

The association’s President, Othman Ngelzarma, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, welcomed the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock Development and refuted claims that the initiative was an attempt to take other people’s land by force to resettle pastoralists.

On July 9, 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock Development. He also inaugurated the Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee.

The committee was mandated to provide sector-focused solutions to the age-long farmers-herders crisis.