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| Participants of Feedlot Management Training Program |
By Oluchi Omai | June 3, 2025 |
In a bold and transformative effort to reposition Nigeria as a heavyweight in the global meat trade, NIRSAL Plc—Nigeria's pioneering agricultural finance institution—has launched an ambitious Feedlot Management Training Program with support from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. The initiative is aimed at preparing local stakeholders in the livestock value chain to fully harness the $2.5 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) recently secured through a landmark deal between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and global meatpacking titan, JBS.
The JBS Deal: A Turning Point for Nigeria’s Meat Industry
The $2.5 billion partnership with JBS, one of the world’s largest meat processing companies, is already being hailed as a watershed moment for Nigeria’s livestock sector. The agreement will see the establishment of six ultra-modern meat processing plants nationwide—two of which are dedicated exclusively to beef production. This investment, beyond being a financial milestone, signals Nigeria’s growing appeal as a viable hub for livestock and agribusiness investment.
A Training Initiative with Strategic Intent
Inaugurated in Abuja, the first cohort of the Feedlot Management Training Program attracted a cross-section of stakeholders from both public and private sectors. Speaking at the opening session, Mr. Sa’ad Hamidu, Managing Director/CEO of NIRSAL Plc, laid bare the strategic rationale behind the training:
“This is not just another training; it is a targeted intervention aimed at creating bankable agribusinesses by improving feed formulation practices, reducing input waste, and optimizing livestock finishing cycles for increased market value,” he emphasized.
Hamidu was unequivocal in linking the initiative with the federal government’s broader agricultural development goals:
“We are preparing Nigerian livestock producers to feed not just the nation, but the world. And this aligns directly with the Federal Government’s vision for an agriculturally empowered, export-ready nation.”
This outlook sets the tone for a program designed not merely to educate but to radically professionalize livestock farming and establish it as a key component of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
Expanding the Horizon Beyond JBS
While the JBS deal stands out as a flagship investment, it is far from the only indicator of momentum in the livestock sub-sector. Nigerian conglomerates such as ABIS Group are also making significant inroads, injecting capital and expertise into various aspects of the meat value chain. These developments further validate NIRSAL’s approach and amplify the need for standardized, scalable livestock management systems—especially in feedlot operations, which are essential for producing high-yield, export-quality beef.
National Participation in the First Cohort
The breadth of participation in the inaugural training is a testament to the sector-wide interest and readiness for transformation. Participants included:
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Officials from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development
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The Agriculture Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)
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The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors & Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPMAN)
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The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN)
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Maidoki Farms Ltd, among others
A standout voice from the training, Shekamang Ayuba, Director of Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development at the Ministry of Livestock Development, described the program as “eye-opening and apt,” advocating for its expansion across all states in the federation.
Confronting the Structural Deficiencies in the Sector
Despite its vast potential, Nigeria’s livestock sector has for decades remained underdeveloped, hamstrung by challenges such as:
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Outdated animal husbandry practices
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Subpar feed and nutrition regimes
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Limited access to credit and technical training
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Fragmented value chain coordination
To combat these, NIRSAL’s approach blends four core solutions:
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Technical Capacity-Building – to upskill farmers, feedlot operators, and processors with best practices for production efficiency.
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Risk-Sharing Incentives for Lenders – to encourage banks and financial institutions to extend affordable credit to agribusinesses.
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End-to-End Value Chain Support – ensuring that all segments from rearing to retail operate in sync.
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Strategic Public-Private Collaborations – fostering synergy between government agencies, cooperatives, and private sector players.
Together, these elements aim to create a sustainable and investable livestock ecosystem capable of driving GDP growth and generating employment across the rural-urban divide.
NIRSAL: The Catalyst Behind the Curtain
Established in 2013 and wholly owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NIRSAL Plc has steadily grown into the country’s leading institutional driver of agricultural financing and value chain development. With over ₦250 billion facilitated into agricultural projects since inception, the organization has emerged as a bridge between commercial finance and the often underserved agrarian economy.
Through innovations in de-risking, insurance, and agribusiness development, NIRSAL continues to redefine what is possible in Nigeria’s agriculture landscape—unlocking finance, enhancing productivity, and creating export-ready opportunities.
Final Word: The Stakes Are High, But So Are the Possibilities
As Nigeria gears up to meet rising global demand for sustainable protein sources, the stakes in the livestock sector have never been higher. But with coordinated policy, strategic investment, and targeted capacity building, the country is poised for a major leap.
If initiatives like the Feedlot Management Training Program are scaled nationwide, Nigeria could not only feed itself more efficiently—but also become Africa’s premier supplier of premium beef to the world.
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