The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has backed the partnership among the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), International Meat Processors (IMP) and Fulcrum Technologies to strengthen Nigeria’s meat value chain.
The minister, Idi-Mukhtar Maiha, gave his support during the signing of the partnership on Tuesday in Abuja, describing AUFCDN as a “critical stakeholder” in Nigeria’s livestock and agricultural value chain.
He said the partnership aligns with the ministry’s vision of transforming the livestock sector through value addition, modern processing and improved marketing systems, instead of relying mainly on transporting live animals.
“This partnership will move stakeholders beyond transportation into production, value addition, efficient distribution, job creation, strengthening food security and promoting rural development,” he said.
The minister said the ministry was promoting investment in meat processing and cold-chain logistics to reduce the risks associated with transporting live animals over long distances.
“Rather than transporting live animals, we want businesses to transport processed meat under proper cold-chain conditions while creating value from meat and other by-products,” he added.
According to him, processing livestock in regulated abattoirs will maximise returns from hides, skins, bones, horns and other by-products, while improving product quality and competitiveness.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would attract investment, create jobs, strengthen national food security and position Nigeria’s livestock industry for greater participation in regional and global meat markets.
In his remarks, the President of AUFCDN, Mr Kabir Dabai, said the partnership with IMP would modernise livestock and foodstuff businesses and improve members’ economic opportunities.
Dabai added that the partnership is expected to generate nearly 10 million jobs nationwide through investments and the expansion of livestock-related businesses.
He further said that the initiative would replace traditional business practices with modern systems capable of improving efficiency, productivity and competitiveness across the livestock value chain.
“The major benefit is the modernisation of our business. We want to move from the old way of doing business to a modern system.
“The partnership will also expand market opportunities, improve competition and provide members with more outlets to sell their products.
“By the grace of God, in the coming months you will return and see the progress we have made. Our greatest challenge, however, remains multiple taxation across the country,” he said.
On his part, Mr Abdullah Salem of IMP described the partnership as a “strategic alliance” to transform Nigeria’s livestock value chain through innovation, investment and technology.
“This is not simply the signing of an agreement. It is the coming together of a major livestock association with a technical investor committed to members’ success,” Salem said.
He said AUFCDN brought nationwide membership and industry experience, while IMP and Fulcrum Technologies would provide technology, financing, infrastructure and implementation capacity for sustainable growth.
“Our role is not to replace the association or its leadership but to provide the enabling platform that will help members succeed on a national scale,” he said.
Salem said the partnership would establish a digital livestock registry, a traceability platform, Sharia-compliant financing, insurance, veterinary services, modern processing facilities and cold-chain logistics to improve productivity.
“Together, we can build a modern livestock sector that creates jobs, strengthens food security, attracts investment and positions Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s livestock value chain,” he said.
