Abuja, July 4, 2025 – In a bid to cut down import reliance and spur livestock productivity, Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, has urged Ecogold, a key manufacturer of animal fattening products, to establish a dedicated feed production factory in Nigeria.
“Nigeria spends millions on imported animal feed. We must change this by producing locally. Let’s work together to take this nationwide,†the Minister said during a meeting with Ecogold CEO Martins Nwaege.
This initiative is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to modernise its livestock value chain through:
- Modern abattoirs
- Pasture cultivation
- Feedlots and ranches
- Expanded animal healthcare infrastructure
The Minister also proposed a nationwide stakeholders’ engagement campaign to promote Ecogold’s products and increase adoption among local livestock and dairy farmers.
A Pan-African Vision for Animal Nutrition
In response, CEO Martins Nwaege confirmed plans to commission the factory within two years, with Nigeria as the pilot country. The factory is expected to:
- Generate employment for youth and women
- Reduce feed import bills
- Enable export to other African markets
- Leverage certification from NAPRI (National Animal Production Research Institute)
“Our goal is to make Nigeria a hub for livestock nutrition in Africa,†Nwaege added.
This move is seen as part of a larger trend in which African governments are turning to localised agri-input manufacturing to boost food security and create agro-based employment.
