Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday presided over the 156th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The hybrid session, which commenced at 4:17 pm local time, was the second NEC meeting since President Bola Tinubu directed the council to identify and rehabilitate grazing reserves for conversion into modern ranches.
President Tinubu issued the directive during the Federal Executive Council meeting of December 10, 2025, where he tasked NEC with working closely with the Ministry of Livestock Development to develop a comprehensive roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there. Let’s utilise it,” the President had said.
At its 155th meeting held on December 18, 2025, the council responded by inaugurating a committee on livestock development to fast-track the implementation of nationwide livestock production and ranching reforms.
The committee is chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, and includes representatives from the six geo-political zones: Bauchi State (North-East), Niger State (North-Central), Ondo State (South-West), Imo State (South-East), Cross River State (South-South), and Kebbi State (North-West).
Other members of the committee are the Ministers of Livestock Development; Agriculture and Food Security; Budget and Economic Planning; as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness.
The committee is mandated to review recommendations of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee and the Ministry of Livestock Development, and to identify states willing to participate in the implementation of the programme.
Details later…
