₦airaland Forum

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a ‘problem solver’ who is tackling Nigeria’s national security challenges through bold reforms in the livestock sector.

Jega made the remark on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Blueprint Impact Series and Awards held in Abuja.

The event, organised by Blueprint Newspapers Limited, recognised individuals and institutions making transformative contributions to governance, business, and social development.

Speaking in his capacity as Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Reforms and National Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative, Jega presented a paper titled ‘Exploring the Potentials of Livestock Exports in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.’

This initiative is designed to turn tragedy into opportunity,”Jega said, referring to the longstanding farmer-herder conflicts and insecurity associated with the livestock sector across many parts of the country.

“This is not just about agriculture. It is about national security, economic growth, and sustainable development. If we manage this properly, we can drastically reduce the farmer-herder conflicts, boost rural livelihoods, reduce poverty, and improve food security across the country. President Tinubu has shown courage by addressing a longstanding problem with a practical, forward-looking solution,” he added.

Jega noted that Nigeria’s livestock sector, estimated to be worth over $30 billion, remains largely underdeveloped due to weak investment, low productivity, and structural inefficiencies.

“This sector is not merely a subsector of agriculture. It is a fulcrum upon which rural livelihoods, nutrition security and inter-regional trade dynamics revolve,” he said.

He further revealed that Nigeria spends between $1.5 billion and $2 billion annually on milk imports, describing the situation as economically unsustainable.

“Our inability to transform the livestock sector has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic stagnation in agriculture. We are still importing over 60 percent of the milk we consume. Imagine the impact of developing our dairy sector to meet both domestic needs and export goals. This new ministry could be a game-changer, if we get it right,” Jega said.

He praised President Tinubu for creating a dedicated Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and reaffirmed that the livestock reform initiative aims to build a climate-smart, commercially viable, and conflict-resilient sector.

He called on stakeholders, including federal and state governments, private investors, and livestock professionals, to support the reform programme and align with the President’s vision for transformation.

“We must align policy with practice, invest in research, train our veterinarians, support ranching systems, and expand cold-chain logistics. This is how we can transform the sector into a true engine of inclusive growth. All hands must be on deck if we are to unlock the full value chain of the livestock industry and reduce insecurity linked to rural economic deprivation,” he said.

According to Jega, the initiative will prioritise improvements in veterinary services, breed quality, feed production, and innovative financing models to attract local and international investment.

He reiterated that livestock offers one of Nigeria’s best opportunities for economic diversification beyond

“With the right investments, policies, and partnerships, Nigeria can become a regional leader in livestock exports and an example of conflict-to-opportunity transformation,” Jega added.

The 2025 Blueprint Impact Series and Awards was attended by politicians, policymakers, business leaders, technocrats, and development partners from across the country.

Also speaking, Secretary to the Gover. ,nment of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who chaired the event, described the media as Nigeria’s :moral compass’ and a vital pillar of democracy.

“The media is an indispensable ally… a conscience keeper that informs public opinion, holds leaders accountable, and promotes national unity,” Akume said.

He lauded the event’s theme as relevant to the Tinubu administration’s priorities, noting that the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development signals a strategic move to reposition the sector as a driver of industrial growth, job creation, rural development, and foreign trade.

“Nigeria exports millions of livestock annually, yet we have barely scratched the surface of the economic opportunities available — from dairy and meat production to global value chain integration,” he stated.

In his remarks, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, urged journalists to uphold professional standards amid growing misinformation and sensationalism.

“We now see the unchecked spread of unverified information, driven by social media users who lack the necessary literacy and training,” Alake said.

He echoed Jega’s support for transitioning from open grazing to ranching, describing it as a modern solution that can both reduce conflict and enhance economic value.

Ikaeniyan0:
Obidients will attack him for saying the truth

AMINDA:
Of course he was saying the truth. His own truth in his capacity as Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Reforms and National Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative.

slivertongue:
Tinubu that can't solve the problems that buhari left for him instead has worsened it can't be called a solver but a destroyer of good thingsi

slivertongue:
Tinubu that can't solve the problems that buhari left for him instead has worsened it can't be called a solver but a destroyer of good thingsi

slivertongue:
Tinubu that can't solve the problems that buhari left for him instead has worsened it can't be called a solver but a destroyer of good thingsi

CoronaVirusPro:
The opposition is quite aware that they do not have a flag bearer that match the competence of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

When academic juggernauts like Jega speak, you should know they have done their research.

His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) does not seek validation and never has it stop people from validating his competence.

God bless His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR)

etrouble:
When a professor talks, 3rd Class Philosophy graduates cannot understand