Nigeria Conducts Livestock Baseline Study to Strengthen Sector Performance
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has conducted a nationwide Baseline Study to establish a credible, evidence-based foundation for its Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework and support data-driven growth across Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The Study, which covers 67 result indicators, assesses the current status of the sector, enables systematic tracking of performance over time, and provides a basis for policy formulation, planning, and investment decisions.
The initiative aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and results-oriented governance within the national development agenda.
Field engagements were conducted between April 20 and 24, 2026, using a mixed-methods approach that integrates secondary data reviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to ensure both quantitative precision and qualitative depth.
Recognising the livestock sector as an interconnected system, the Ministry adopted a value chain approach covering cattle (beef and dairy), poultry (broilers, layers, and hatcheries), small ruminants (sheep and goats), piggery, micro livestock, feed and fodder systems, and essential services such as veterinary care, logistics, and market infrastructure.
To ensure inclusivity and equal representation, field activities were conducted across six selected states to capture Nigeria’s geographic and production diversity.
Stakeholders engaged in the study were drawn from across the livestock value chain, including producers, pastoralists, ranch operators, processors, aggregators, traders, marketers, input suppliers, service providers, and relevant government and regulatory institutions. Their participation provides a balanced perspective that reflects the realities of the sector.
FGDs provided direct insights into production challenges, market dynamics, and key performance drivers, while KIIs brought in perspectives from senior government officials, technical experts, and private sector stakeholders with strong institutional experience.
The outcomes of the Baseline Study are expected to be made public in the coming weeks and will provide a critical benchmark for measuring progress, informing targeted interventions, and strengthening coordination across the livestock ecosystem.
Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Henrietta Okokon in a statement, disclosed that It is also expected to play a central role in advancing food security, economic diversification, and sustainable livelihoods in Nigeria.
