• 30 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• No comment

Jega Warns of Impending Protein Shortage, Food Crisis in Nigeria.

Professor Attahiru Jega, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Livestock Reforms, has sounded the alarm over a potential protein shortage and worsening food insecurity in Nigeri

a. He urged immediate and strategic reforms in the livestock sector to avert future nutritional and economic crises.

Speaking at the University of Ilorin during a lecture titled “The Political Economy of Livestock Development in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”, delivered as part of the institution’s 50th anniversary celebration, Jega stressed that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population expected to reach nearly 400 million by 2050 will place unprecedented demands on food systems, particularly livestock.

He projected that meeting the nutritional needs of this population would require a 253% increase in poultry production, a 117% rise in beef, and a 577% boost in milk supply.

“These projections are not theoretical they are clear warnings,” Jega said. “Without proactive investments and sustainable planning, the country could face serious food shortages, particularly in animal protein, worsening rural poverty and overall food insecurity.”

He emphasized the need to overhaul the livestock sector through sustainable, climate-resilient methods and inclusive value chain development. According to Jega, failure to act decisively would increase pressure on rural resources, exacerbate conflicts, and deepen national dependence on food imports.

Jega noted that the livestock sector is a key component of the agricultural economy, contributing between 7% and 9% of agricultural GDP and supporting more than 20 million livelihoods. Yet it suffers from outdated practices, poor infrastructure, limited veterinary services, and weak coordination across government levels.

He also linked persistent farmer-herder conflicts to competition for dwindling natural resources, worsened by climate change and weak land management policies. These conflicts, he said, contribute to broader insecurity and displacement.

Underinvestment both public and private has further weakened the sector. Jega cited a lack of essential infrastructure, such as grazing reserves, ranches, cold storage, feed mills, veterinary clinics, and market systems.

“Modernising the livestock industry is a national priority,” he declared. “It can nourish our population, create economic opportunities, and promote stability in fragile communities.”

Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and host of the event, praised Jega for his insights and contributions to livestock development. He noted that Jega’s lecture could inspire young people to explore opportunities in livestock farming.

Mustapha also highlighted his efforts to support farmers in Kwara Central by distributing 200 chicks to 200 poultry farmers. He pledged to pursue more initiatives aimed at improving local agriculture and boosting economic well-being.

Professor Adedoyin Omeda, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, said the lecture’s topic was chosen in response to Nigeria’s growing economic and security concerns. She described Jega as a bridge between academia and impactful public service.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Fawole Adisa, said the event reflected the university’s alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He described Jega as the ideal speaker for the occasion.

Faith Kegh

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