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By Daniel Adaji
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has commenced strategies to strengthen climate action in the livestock sector, announcing plans to partner with the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank (AFDB) to curb climate risks, protect livelihoods and drive sustainable growth across the value chain.
The commitment was reaffirmed in Abuja on Tuesday, when the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, received a joint delegation from the World Bank Mission, the AFDB and members of the Technical Working Group on Climate Change.
She noted that the engagement is a coordinated push to confront the growing impact of climate change on livestock production while positioning the sector for resilience and inclusive development.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry explained that the proposed collaboration aligns with its strategic mandate to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on livestock systems, safeguard rural livelihoods and promote environmentally responsible practices, particularly in the face of global warming.
Represented at the meeting by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Mr. Ohaeri Stephen Ezenwa, the Permanent Secretary stressed that livestock remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, supporting food security, nutrition, employment and millions of rural households nationwide.
“Despite its importance, the sector is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change, with far-reaching implications for animal health, feed and water availability, productivity, greenhouse gas emissions and overall sustainability,” she said.
She noted that these challenges make the case for urgent, evidence-based policies, reliable national data systems and coordinated action to advance climate-smart livestock development.
The renewed focus comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s escalating climate crisis. In recent years, extreme flooding, prolonged droughts and rising temperatures have devastated farms, displaced communities and strained food systems. The 2022 floods alone affected more than two million Nigerians, destroyed farmlands and infrastructure, and caused losses estimated in billions of dollars, while climate-related shocks continue to threaten lives, livelihoods and national economic stability.
The Director (Technical) in the Office of the Permanent Secretary and Team Lead of the Technical Working Group on Climate Change, Dr. Alike Peter, said the Working Group was established to support the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, which aims to double the sector’s contribution to GDP from about $32 billion to $74 billion within a decade.
He explained that whether growth comes from improving the efficiency of existing stock or expanding livestock numbers, both pathways carry implications for greenhouse gas emissions, feed, water and land-use management, making climate considerations central to development planning.
Alike said “the Working Group is prioritising evidence-based national data on short-lived climate pollutants, particularly methane and nitrous oxide, to guide policy and decision-making. To achieve this, the Ministry is collaborating with partners such as the World Bank to measure methane emissions using FAO-approved models and direct measurement approaches, while working closely with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to ensure methodological rigour and national ownership of data.”
He added that ongoing collaborations are focused on establishing a national methane baseline, developing mitigation and adaptation measures and building the capacity of stakeholders, steps he said would strengthen Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), improve access to carbon markets and advance climate-smart livestock systems.
At the meeting, the World Bank Group Representative and Senior Fisheries Specialist, Dr. Harrison Karisa, outlined three key areas of opportunity: climate-smart aquaculture to reduce methane emissions and boost productivity; the blue economy, including seaweed farming and value chains that support women and youth employment; and results-based finance and carbon markets linked to methane abatement and nature-based solutions.
He added that seaweed, which grows naturally in aquatic environments, can also serve as a nutritious livestock feed supplement rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
The AFDB’s Chief Livestock Officer, Dr. Youssouf Kabore, commended the Ministry’s proactive approach to climate action and assured the Bank’s full support for practical and scalable interventions in the livestock sector.