President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform.
The announcement was made on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Jega, who served as INEC Chairman from 2010 to 2015, is expected to use his administrative expertise to drive reforms in Nigeria's livestock sector.
Jega's Role in Livestock Reform
Professor Jega, former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, co-chaired the Presidential Livestock Committee with President Tinubu, where he contributed to policy recommendations for sustainable livestock reforms.
One of the key outcomes of this committee was the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, now fully operational with a dedicated minister.
His appointment is expected to reinforce existing reforms and sustain momentum for policies aimed at modernizing Nigeria's livestock industry.
Background on Nigeria's Livestock Reform
In July 2024, President Tinubu launched a comprehensive livestock reform strategy, which includes:
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Establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development
Enhancing veterinary services and livestock health programs
Supporting livestock farmers with modern infrastructure
Mitigating the farmers-herders crisis
Boosting agricultural productivity and food security
The National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) is a key part of this reform, designed to:
Reduce conflicts between farmers and herders
Create rural job opportunities
Enhance Nigeria's role in global agriculture
Jega's appointment signals a stronger push toward achieving these national objectives, positioning the livestock sector for sustainable growth and economic impact.
