What types of livestock are present in Nigeria, and what do they produce?

Nigeria's livestock sector plays a vital role in national food security, rural livelihoods and the economy. Valued at over ₦33 trillion and contributing 5% to the national GDP, it is not only a source of employment for millions, but also supplies 40% of the protein consumed in Nigerian households,  a vital source of nutrition in a country where malnutrition remains prevalent. 

However, Nigeria faces a challenge. The country possesses one of the largest livestock populations in Africa, estimated at over 400 million animals including 258 million chickens, 137 million goats and sheep, 21 million cattle, and 9 million pigs in 2022. Despite these high numbers, domestic production of animal-source foods falls significantly short of national demand. For instance, poultry products meet only around 30% of domestic needs.

With a population exceeding 200 million, half of whom are under 19, the pressure to meet growing nutritional and economic demands is intensifying. Nigeria’s livestock sector is at a critical inflection point: it must transition from low-yield, subsistence-oriented production to a modern, climate-resilient, and market-driven system. This article explores the current state of livestock production, focusing on cattle, poultry, and goats, and identifies the structural challenges and transformative opportunities within the sector.

Cattle in Nigeria

Nigeria is home to one of the largest cattle populations in Africa, with over 20 million heads as of 2022 -2024. Approximately 90% of this population is concentrated in the northern regions, where ecological conditions such as low rainfall and extended dry seasons are well suited to ruminant grazing. Cattle are primarily kept for beef, milk, and income, and they also serve as social and economic assets within many Fulani pastoralist communities.

Nigeria’s cattle population is dominated (99%) by Indigenous breeds including White Fulani (Bunaji), Sokoto Gudali, Adamawa Gudali, Red Bororo, Muturu, N’dama, Keteku, and Kuri. These breeds are well adapted to Nigeria’s diverse climates and are relatively resistant to common endemic diseases. However, they are generally low-yielding in both meat and milk production. Exotic breeds such as Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss, Jersey, as well as their crosses, are present in small numbers, and are limited to small-scale intensive systems due to their high input needs and sensitivity to local climates.

Cattle rearing in Nigeria is structured around three main systems: nomadic pastoralism, agro-pastoralism, and commercial (intensive) farming. Most animals are kept in low-input systems with minimal feed supplementation or veterinary care. Consequently, productivity remains low. For example, Nigeria produces only around 532 to 600 million liters of milk annually, less than 40% of national demand, while beef production lags behind per capita requirements.

Beyond production issues, the sector faces growing threats. Conflict between migrating pastoralists and sedentary farmers has intensified due to shrinking grazing land and desertification, particularly in the Middle Belt. Herd health is further compromised by endemic diseases and limited access to veterinary care. Seasonal feed shortages and poor water infrastructure also contribute to high mortality and reduced productivity.

Nigeria’s milk value chain remains fragmented, with most raw milk sold informally and lacking processing or cold storage infrastructure. Efforts like the National Livestock Transformation Plan aim to modernize ranching and reduce conflict, but implementation has been slow and uneven.

Despite these challenges, the cattle sector holds vast potential. With targeted investment in veterinary services, pasture management, milk collection, and breed improvement, Nigeria could move closer to self-sufficiency in both beef and dairy, unlocking economic opportunities and enhancing food security.

Poultry

Poultry is Nigeria’s fastest-growing agricultural sub sector, contributing about 25% of the country’s agricultural GDP. With an estimated 180 million birds, Nigeria ranks 2nd in Africa by bird population in 2021. Yet despite its scale, local production meets only around 30% of national demand for poultry meat and eggs. 

Chicken farming dominates the sector, while other birds like turkey and guinea fowls play a minor role. Production occurs across three systems: extensive (free-range/backyard), semi-intensive (scale), and intensive (commercial). Extensive or backyard systems account for nearly half of all chickens, raised in small flocks (up to 50 birds) mainly for home consumption, with low inputs and productivity. Semi-intensive systems are family-run, market-oriented flocks of 50 to 2,000 birds, combining indigenous and improved breeds with basic feeding and healthcare. Intensive systems, typically located near urban centers, house thousands of birds and rely on commercial feed, veterinary care, and biosecurity.

The bird population includes both indigenous and exotic breeds. Local breeds like the Fulani and Yoruba ecotypes are resilient but low-yielding. Exotic and hybrid breeds such as Broilers, Layers, and Noilers dominate commercial farms due to their higher productivity, though performance is still constrained by poor feed quality, disease, and limited veterinary access.

In 2023, Nigeria produced roughly 320,000 metric tons of poultry meat and 660,000 metric tons of eggs. However, rising feed costs—mainly from maize and soybean—alongside disease outbreaks, poor infrastructure, and weak access to credit, continue to limit output. Smuggled frozen chicken from neighboring countries also undermines local producers, despite an official import ban.

Still, poultry farming remains one of Nigeria’s most promising agribusiness sectors. Its short production cycle, growing urban demand, and relatively low capital threshold make it attractive for small-scale entrepreneurs. With better policy enforcement, improved access to inputs, and stronger veterinary and extension services, the poultry sector could significantly reduce Nigeria’s protein gap and support rural incomes.

Goats 

Goats are one of the most widely kept livestock species in Nigeria, with an estimated population of over 88 million as of 2022. They are kept primarily by smallholder farmers, especially in the North and Middle Belt.

The country’s goat herd is composed mainly of indigenous breeds, including the West African Dwarf, Red Sokoto (Maradi), Pygmy, Sahelian, and Kano Brown goats, which are hardy and disease-resistant but low-yielding. Most goats are raised under extensive systems, roaming freely with little supplemental feeding or veterinary care. Intensive systems exist in peri-urban areas but remain rare.

The main product derived from goats in Nigeria is meat (chevon), which is widely consumed across the country and preferred for its flavor and affordability. In 2020, Nigeria led the continent in goat meat production, with an output of about 361,000 metric tons. Despite this, goat milk remains a largely untapped resource. Milk production is limited to a few rural communities with traditional knowledge of milking, and it contributes minimally to the national dairy supply. Commercial-scale goat dairies are virtually nonexistent.

Challenges include poor husbandry practices, limited veterinary access, seasonal feed scarcity, and unstructured markets. Most goats are sold informally, making it hard for farmers to scale or earn consistent income.

Despite these constraints, goats offer strong potential for growth. They require less land and feed than cattle, making them suitable for small-scale farmers. With better breeding, health services, and market development, goat farming could evolve into a more productive and profitable enterprise.

How can Nigeria’s livestock production be enhanced?

Although Nigeria is a top livestock producer in Africa, there is still significant room for growth, especially in meeting domestic needs and expanding into international markets. Gaps in farmer education, climate change, poor infrastructure, and rising costs continue to hinder the growth of Nigeria’s livestock sector. 

In response to the persistent challenges confronting the Nigerian livestock sector the Federal Government in 2020 launched the Nigeria Livestock Roadmap for Productivity Improvement and Resilience (LPRES). This initiative aims for an annual growth target of 5% in the sector between 2020 and 2026. 

This growth is expected to be driven by improvements in animal breeds, production systems, and resource availability, including quality land, feed, and water. The roadmap also prioritizes strengthening animal health and disease control mechanisms, which are critical to safeguarding both animal and human health.

Education and extension services are critical to improving productivity in the livestock sector. Many challenges highlighted by the LPRES, such as poor record-keeping of live weight, birth weight, and growth rates; inconsistent medication schedules; and limited knowledge of best practices for animal rearing, stem from gaps in training and support. Addressing these issues through targeted education and extension programs can lead to healthier animals, higher yields, and more sustainable livestock farming.

According to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), there are clear signs of rising temperatures and extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and erosion. These climate shifts can intensify heat stress, water scarcity, feed shortages, and disease outbreaks in livestock, leading to higher illness and mortality rates. Nigeria must prioritize climate-resilient livestock systems. This includes investing in heat-tolerant and drought-resistant animal breeds like South Africa’s Nguni, improving water harvesting and storage infrastructure, promoting sustainable grazing and pasture management practices, and strengthening veterinary services to better manage climate-sensitive diseases. Expanding early warning systems and training farmers on climate-smart practices will also be essential to safeguarding livestock and securing livelihoods in the face of ongoing climate change.

LPRES also identifies the lack of business development support, limited market access, and the fragmentation of the livestock value chain as major barriers to sector growth. Many livestock producers, especially smallholders, are disconnected from structured markets and support systems, operating without access to essential services, training, or collective bargaining mechanisms. This results in low productivity, poor profitability, and vulnerability to market shocks. To address this,the government can play a critical role by facilitating the formation of producer cooperatives, improving access to extension and advisory services, and fostering market linkages that connect farmers to buyers, processors, and input suppliers. 

To increase the productivity of Nigeria’s livestock sector, a holistic and sustained approach is essential. LPRES provides a promising framework for this transformation. By turning policy into practice and centering the needs of smallholder farmers, Nigeria can build a more productive, competitive, and resilient livestock industry that meets domestic demand, supports rural livelihoods, and positions the country as a key player in regional and global markets.