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.