NIRSAL to launch feedlot training as Nigeria prepares for US$2.5B meat investment

NIGERIA – NIRSAL Plc, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, has introduced a Feedlot Management Training Programme to strengthen Nigeria’s livestock production systems.

The initiative comes in response to a recent agreement between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and global meat company JBS, which will bring in foreign direct investment worth US$2.5 billion (approx. ₦3.8 trillion).

The training’s first session took place in Abuja and marks the beginning of efforts to prepare local stakeholders for upcoming changes in meat production standards and capacity.

As part of the JBS deal, six new meat processing facilities are planned across Nigeria, including two focused on beef, which will significantly increase the need for quality feedstock from domestic suppliers.

According to NIRSAL Plc’s Managing Director and CEO, Sa’ad Hamidu, the programme is designed not merely as a knowledge-sharing session but as a means to help farmers run profitable, market-oriented operations through better feed formulation, reduced wastage, and improved livestock management.

He stated that the aim is to equip Nigerian livestock producers to supply meat beyond national borders, in line with the government’s broader agricultural export agenda.

The programme also intends to help farmers meet the criteria for export-grade beef, while enhancing productivity and income across the sector.

Although the JBS investment is the largest incoming project, it is not the only source of capital flowing into Nigeria’s meat industry.

Domestic players such as ABIS Group are also expanding operations within the meat value chain, indicating a growing need for consistent and high-quality animal feed sources.

The first group of trainees included representatives from the Ministry of Livestock Development, the Federal Capital Development Authority’s Agriculture Department, and associations such as NACDPMAN and AUFCDN, alongside private sector actors like Maidoki Farms Ltd.

Among the participants was Shekamang Ayuba, Director of Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development, who described the training as timely and recommended it be replicated across the country.

Nigeria’s livestock sector, while resource-rich, faces challenges including outdated systems, low-quality inputs, and limited access to financing.

Through this programme, NIRSAL plans to address these barriers by combining technical training, loan guarantees for agribusinesses, full value chain support, and partnerships between the public and private sectors.

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