He called on MACBAN to take a leading role in creating awareness and mobilising pastoralist communities ahead of the implementation of the new livestock identification programme.

“Once this initiative is launched, all livestock owners will be expected to register and tag every cow, bull, sheep and goat,” the minister said. “I appeal for your cooperation in creating the necessary awareness, sensitisation and mobilisation of all livestock owners and other stakeholders towards the success of this exercise.”

According to the minister, the digital registration programme will introduce biometric identification for cattle, sheep and goats across the country. He described the project as a landmark intervention aimed at revolutionising animal identification, improving traceability and strengthening biosecurity within Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The initiative is also expected to provide more reliable livestock data, support disease control efforts and improve planning across the agricultural value chain.

The conference also featured strong support from livestock industry stakeholders, who commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritising reforms in the sector.

Representatives of MACBAN pledged their continued partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, expressing readiness to support government programmes designed to transform the industry.

“We want to partner with the minister whenever they are ready. Reach out to us—we will support the government in every way possible,” a MACBAN representative said.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ongoing reforms aimed at improving livestock breeding, animal health, production, pasture development, processing infrastructure, market systems and private sector investment.