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By Chinyere Anyanwu
Nigeria’s drive towards a modern, commercially viable and sustainable livestock industry received a boost as the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, commended Origin Tech Group and the Lagos State Government for their forward-looking investments and partnership in livestock development.
The minister gave the commendation during a working visit to Origin Tech Group Nigeria, where he described the initiatives being implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems as a practical demonstration of the future of livestock development in Nigeria.
Welcomed by the Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group, Prince Joseph Samuel, the minister toured key operations and gained first-hand insight into the Group’s technology-driven approach to livestock production, management, processing and distribution.
The visit also underscored the objectives of the Nigerian Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, particularly the need to unlock private sector investment, modernise livestock production systems and establish commercially sustainable value chains across the country.
Maiha praised the partnership between Origin Tech Group and the Lagos State government, noting that the collaboration has moved beyond theoretical frameworks to the delivery of practical, end-to-end solutions across the livestock value chain.
Among the initiatives highlighted were modern cattle fattening and transit facilities at Igbodu and Badagry, as well as technology-enabled animal feed production designed to improve productivity, strengthen commercial livestock farming and help address some of the pressures associated with traditional livestock production systems.
Impressed by the scale of the operations, the minister said strong collaboration between government and innovative private sector organisations such as Origin Tech Group would be critical to Nigeria’s ambition of achieving food security and building a globally competitive livestock industry.
According to Maiha, Origin Tech Group had recognised the enormous opportunities in Nigeria’s livestock sector even before the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
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“Long before this ministry was created, Origin Tech Group had recognised the huge opportunities presented by the size of Nigeria’s market and had moved ahead to demonstrate that Nigerians can invest in organised livestock production, management, marketing and distribution,” he said.
The minister added that the investments were also challenging long-held assumptions about the availability of land for commercially organised livestock production in Lagos State.
“They have also dispelled the notion that Lagos does not have land for ranching, feedlotting or livestock development. What we are seeing demonstrates that with the right investment, technology and management, commercial livestock production is possible,” Maiha stated.
He further stressed that the transformation of the sector must go beyond increasing livestock numbers to improving productivity, quality and the commercial value of livestock products.
Referencing locally produced fresh milk sampled during the visit, Maiha said the achievements demonstrated the potential of domestic livestock production when backed by purposeful investment and innovation.
“The fresh milk we had today was produced here in Lagos. That demonstrates the point that this can be done if we are determined to do it. Origin Tech Group has taken advantage of the opportunities in the sector, and our vision is for Nigeria to become the biggest livestock powerhouse on the continent,” the minister said.
The visit reinforced a shared commitment to scaling technology-driven livestock solutions across Nigeria and attracting greater investment into the sector, with the ultimate goal of making livestock agriculture more productive, bankable, sustainable and resilient.
It also highlighted the growing importance of public-private partnerships in building an integrated livestock ecosystem capable of creating jobs, stimulating rural and industrial economies, improving food security and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Also present during the visit were the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya; Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola; Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Origin Tech Group, Mr. Olusesan Ayeni; Acting President of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), Kabiru Dabai; Director of Livestock Development, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Shonekan; Clerk of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Mr. Buhari; and Special Assistant to the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Ishaq Bello.
