RismadarVoice Reporters, July 3, 2026
Nigerian youths have been encouraged to venture into sheep and goat farming as a profitable agribusiness – capable of creating jobs, generating wealth and contributing to national development.
The National President of the National Sheep and Goat Development Association of Nigeria (NASHGODAN), Abdullateef Ahmed, made the call during the association’s annual conference held in Bauchi with the theme, “Small Ruminants for National Prosperity: Advancing Sheep and Goat Development for Food Security, Job Creation and Economic Diversification.”
Ahmed urged young Nigerians, including those still in paid employment, not to wait until retirement before investing in livestock farming, describing the sector as one of the most accessible and profitable agricultural ventures.
He noted that sheep and goat farming provides income, employment, nutrition and economic resilience for millions of Nigerians but identified disease outbreaks, poor breeding programmes, inadequate financing, insecurity, weak value chains and limited market access as key challenges affecting the industry.
The NASHGODAN president said the association remains committed to supporting farmers through training, mentorship and market linkages, while commending President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a major boost for the sector.
Ahmed also called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, researchers, financial institutions and private investors to unlock the full potential of the livestock industry.
Declaring the conference open on behalf of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Bala Lukshi, announced plans to convert an existing sheep and goat facility into a Small Ruminant Development Centre to improve livestock breeding and provide quality breeding stock for farmers.
Lukshi also advocated modern livestock production methods, including ranching and improved pasture development, as sustainable solutions to the recurring farmer-herder conflicts and declining grazing land across the country.
