Niger Overhauls Livestock Trade, To End Direct Supply Of Live Cows To Southwest

Niger State Government has revealed plans to revamp the livestock trade by ending the direct supply of live cows and goats to markets in Lagos and Ogun States. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced this at the First Bank 2025 Agric Export Expo in Lagos, stating that animals will now be slaughtered, processed, and packaged in Mokwa before being delivered as frozen products to the Southwest region.

This initiative aims to improve hygiene, reduce waste, and help farmers derive more value from the livestock chain. The state has already secured a 100 million offtake agreement with the Saudi Export-Import Bank to supply processed livestock products to the Middle East.

Governor Bago emphasized that these reforms will enhance meat quality, create job opportunities in processing, and support Nigeria's economic diversification efforts.