Vice President Kashim Shettima presides over NEC livestock reform meeting, advancing Nigeria’s ranching and livestock development agenda
Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the 156th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday, in a hybrid session that began at 4:17 pm.
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The meeting marks the second NEC gathering since President Bola Tinubu directed the council to convert grazing reserves into ranches to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry.
President Tinubu issued the directive during the Federal Executive Council meeting on December 10, 2025, tasking NEC to collaborate with the Ministry of Livestock Development to develop a roadmap for livestock reform.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there. Let’s utilise it,” Tinubu said.
At the 155th NEC meeting on December 18, 2025, the council inaugurated a committee on livestock development to accelerate nationwide implementation of ranching and production reforms.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris chairs the committee, which includes representatives from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones: Bauchi (North-East), Niger (North-Central), Ondo (South-West), Imo (South-East), Cross River (South-South), and Kebbi (North-West).
Other members comprise the Ministers of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness.
The committee’s mandate includes reviewing recommendations from the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee and the Ministry of Livestock Development, as well as identifying states willing to participate in the programme.
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The NEC meeting is expected to chart a detailed path for sustainable ranching and enhanced livestock productivity nationwide.
