Gombe Eyes Livestock-Led Economic Growth as Inuwa Yahaya Meets Minister

Gombe Eyes Livestock-Led Economic Growth as Inuwa Yahaya Meets Minister

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has intensified efforts to position the state as a leading livestock investment destination after holding talks with the Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, on strengthening collaboration to drive reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector.

The meeting, held in Abuja, focused on deepening cooperation between Gombe and the Federal Government to attract investment, strengthen livestock value chains and fast-track projects aimed at transforming the sector into a major contributor to economic growth and job creation.

The Director-General of Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, Ismaila, Uba, Misilli, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

The engagement comes as Gombe continues to align its development strategy with the Federal Government’s livestock reform agenda following the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Inuwa Yahaya said his administration remained committed to leveraging partnerships with the Federal Government, development partners and private investors to unlock the economic potential of the livestock industry.

“Gombe State is ready to continue working closely with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, development partners and private investors to deliver sustainable, investment-driven solutions that will strengthen the livestock economy, create wealth and expand opportunities for our citizens,” the governor said.

He described the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a landmark reform with the potential to modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry, boost exports and diversify the country’s economy.

“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the Federal Government’s most strategic economic reforms. It has the potential to reposition Nigeria as a major player in the global livestock industry,” he said.

To complement the Federal Government’s initiative, the Gombe State Government recently established the Ministry of Livestock Development to provide policy direction, coordinate programmes and facilitate investment in the sector.

A key component of the state’s strategy is the development of an 184-hectare Livestock and Agro-Industrial Hub under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).

According to the state government, the hub will feature an ultra-modern abattoir with the capacity to process 500 cattle, more than 2,000 sheep and goats, and over 10,000 poultry birds daily. It will also accommodate an International Livestock Market, an International Grains and Animal Feed Market, a Modern Timber Market and an Inland Dry Port to improve agricultural trade and logistics.

Other planned facilities include a modern poultry production hub, a veterinary hospital, a leather processing and manufacturing complex, and a waste-to-energy and organic fertiliser plant, as well as supporting infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply.

The government said the integrated project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attract local and foreign investment, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen the livestock value chain across the state and beyond.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya was accompanied to the meeting by the Gombe State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Hon. Sa’idu Baba Alkali.

The Federal Government created the Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024 as part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry, improve productivity and encourage investment in animal production, processing and exports. Gombe is among the states seeking to leverage the reforms to expand agribusiness, stimulate industrialisation and diversify its economy beyond traditional revenue sources.