Shettima chairs NEC meeting as FG moves to fast-track livestock, ranching reforms

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday presided over the 156th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the Federal Government intensified efforts to reform Nigeria’s livestock sector.

The hybrid meeting, which commenced at 4:17 pm, marked the second NEC session since President Bola Tinubu directed the council to identify and rehabilitate grazing reserves into modern ranches.

President Tinubu issued the directive during the Federal Executive Council meeting of December 10, 2025, charging NEC to work closely with the Ministry of Livestock Development to design a clear roadmap for transforming the country’s livestock industry into an economically viable sector while reducing conflicts.

“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there. Let’s utilise it,” Tinubu had said.

At its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025, NEC responded by inaugurating a committee on livestock development to accelerate the implementation of nationwide livestock production and ranching reforms.

The committee is chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, and includes representatives from all six geo-political zones — Bauchi (North-East), Niger (North-Central), Ondo (South-West), Imo (South-East), Cross River (South-South), and Kebbi (North-West).

Also on the committee are the Ministers of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness.

The committee is mandated to review recommendations from the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee and the Ministry of Livestock Development, and to identify states willing to participate in the implementation of the programme.