NACDPMN Calls for Unified Action to Modernise Nigeria’s Livestock Sector
September 3, 2026
The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPMN) has called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to address insecurity, cattle theft, livestock movement and infrastructure deficits confronting Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The call was made at the Special National Executive Council and Partners Conference of NACDPMN held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Abuja, with the theme, “Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Secure Livestock Movement, Animal Traceability, Ownership Verification and the Prevention of Cattle Theft in Nigeria’s Livestock Markets.”
The conference brought together stakeholders across the livestock value chain, including government institutions, security agencies, livestock associations, traditional institutions, private sector operators and development partners, to deliberate on measures to strengthen the security, productivity and competitiveness of the sector.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference signed by the NACDPMN participants underscored the strategic importance of the livestock industry to Nigeria’s food security, employment generation, economic growth and national development. They consequently called for greater government and private-sector attention to the sector as a critical component of the national economy.
The conference also welcomed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development towards the development of modern livestock infrastructure, including the proposed establishment of about 12 modern abattoirs within the year. According to the participants, such infrastructure would enhance meat processing, hygiene, value addition and economic opportunities across the livestock value chain.
A major focus of the conference was the need to establish effective livestock identification, ownership verification and traceability systems. Participants noted that such mechanisms would facilitate the lawful movement of livestock, combat cattle theft and rustling, protect legitimate livestock owners and strengthen confidence in livestock markets.
The conference further called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to secure livestock routes and markets and protect legitimate livestock businesses from criminal activities.
It also urged greater cooperation among livestock associations, including NACDPMN, MACBAN, AUFCDN, FACAN and other relevant industry bodies, stressing that a united and coordinated platform was necessary to address common challenges confronting the sector.
On market access, the conference encouraged closer collaboration with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to strengthen regulatory compliance and facilitate the participation of Nigerian livestock and meat businesses in regional and international markets.
Participants also called for improved livestock transportation practices, including compliance with road safety standards and an end to unsafe practices such as transporting cattle alongside human passengers.
The communiqué highlighted the urgent need for increased investment in modern abattoirs, ranches, livestock markets, meat processing facilities and other related infrastructure, noting that these investments were essential to improving productivity, reducing losses, enhancing value addition and creating new economic opportunities.
The conference reaffirmed that the challenges facing Nigeria’s livestock sector could not be effectively addressed by any single institution or association. It therefore advocated a united, coordinated and institutionalised approach involving government agencies, traditional institutions, security agencies, livestock associations, private-sector operators and development partners.
NACDPMN also reaffirmed its readiness to partner with government and other stakeholders in advancing livestock security, animal traceability, modern meat processing, market development and value addition.
The association urged stakeholders to move beyond commitments and translate the resolutions of the conference into concrete actions and sustained partnerships capable of transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry into a secure, modern, productive and internationally competitive sector.
The conference expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among stakeholders would contribute significantly to preventing cattle theft, improving livestock movement and ownership verification, strengthening food security, creating employment and supporting Nigeria’s overall economic development.
Rosemary John
Reporter
