Nigeria boasts one of the largest cattle populations in Africa, ranking among the top on the continent. There are over 20 million cattle, primarily concentrated in the northern regions, including states such as Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, and Kano.
The new Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, faces a difficult and tasking job in three key ways, so to speak.
First, the Ministry of Livestock Development is newly established, and expectations from Nigerians are high. The ministry is tasked with overseeing and developing livestock policies, managing animal health and disease, improving breeds and genetic resources, enhancing husbandry and production systems, supporting rural livelihoods, and modernizing livestock marketing and trade.
From an informal perspective, expectations will focus on how the minister will transform the lives of nomadic cattle herders from being uneducated and nomadic to leading more settled, normal lives, while also addressing the farmer-herder conflict, as well as the notorious practices of cattle rustling, banditry, and kidnapping for ransom, which are prevalent among some cattle herders.
Mukhtar’s second challenge lies in his background; he has spent most of his career as a technocrat at NNPC. Whether he is aware of it or not, he will inevitably experience the bittersweet realities of politics. Once appointed as a minister, one automatically assumes a political role. Mukhtar will need to navigate this transition, deciding whether to embrace full-time politics or attempt to balance his technocratic expertise with his political responsibilities. Furthermore, few people in Adamawa know him, despite his former role as Managing Director of the Kaduna Refinery, a Petrochemical Company (KPRC). As a result, many may perceive him as elitist and aloof, particularly in a position that is inherently people-centered.
Mukhtar’s third challenge stems from the performances of his two predecessors from Adamawa, Mohammed Musa Bello and Prof Mamman Tahir, which many Adamawa people view as less than stellar. Their tenures have left a mixed legacy, leading to skepticism among the populace about Mukhtar’s ability to bring about something new and different. To distinguish himself, Mukhtar will need to work diligently to carve out his own identity and establish a positive track record. This task is particularly crucial, as he shares several traits with both former ministers, which could lead to assumptions about his capabilities and approach. By demonstrating effective leadership and addressing the needs of the people, Mukhtar can overcome this challenge and build a reputation that sets him apart.
With an impressive CV as a technocrat, along with practical knowledge of livestock management, Mukhtar’s Zaidi Farm stands out as a well-integrated enterprise that applies world-class best practices in animal husbandry. Given this background, we expect him to introduce innovative approaches to livestock management by benchmarking against countries renowned for their success in this field, such as New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Brazil, Ireland, and the United States. These nations have excelled in implementing efficient and sustainable livestock practices, utilizing advanced genetic research and technology to enhance productivity. However, Mukhtar’s journey will be both sweet and bitter , largely depending on his approach to leadership, public relationships and policy implementation. By embracing collaboration and leveraging global best practices, he has the potential to make significant strides in transforming the livestock sector.
Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980
