Government Validates National Protocols for Animal Genetic Resources in Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria has endorsed a comprehensive set of national protocols aimed at improving the conservation, characterization, and monitoring of the country’s Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR). This confirmation was announced in a statement released by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry on Thursday.
Improving Livestock Breeding and Policy Making
The new protocols are anticipated to bolster livestock breeding practices, mitigate breed extinction, and facilitate informed, data-driven policy development. Stakeholders involved in Nigeria’s livestock sector have come together to validate these unified national protocols, which are designed to enhance the characterization, inventory management, and monitoring of animal genetic resources.
Workshop Review and Protocol Approval
The protocols were officially approved following a five-day national workshop focused on reviewing the Harmonized Protocol for Characterization, Inventory, and Monitoring of Trends and Associated Risks in Animal Genetic Resources Management. This event took place in Abuja from April 28 to May 5.
Collaboration Among Experts and Stakeholders
This workshop was organized by the National Coordination Office for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. It brought together genetic experts, researchers, policymakers, livestock breeders, development partners, and private sector representatives to explore strategies aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s livestock breeding and conservation frameworks.
Comprehensive Strategy Development
Participants evaluated a range of key documents, including harmonized protocols for animal genetic characterization, inventory frameworks, national data collection templates, endangered species conservation plans, and policy briefs. They also expressed support for the proposed Nigeria Livestock Diversity Information System (NigDAD-IS) and an animal genetic resources dashboard, both designed to enhance data analysis, breed monitoring, and interoperability with global databases like the Food and Agriculture Organization’s DAD-IS.
Importance of Accurate Data for Livestock Breeding
In his opening remarks, Idi Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development, emphasized the critical need for a harmonized national protocol to strengthen Nigeria’s livestock breeding system and conserve indigenous breeds. He pointed out that without precise baseline data, establishing appropriate breeding targets or identifying the best-suited varieties for specific agro-ecological zones becomes a daunting task.
Commitment to Sustainable Livestock Development
Hussein Ghadane, Country Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization, reiterated the organization’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s livestock transformation plan through technical expertise and institutional backing. He highlighted that veterinary and genetic services are essential in safeguarding animal health, ensuring food safety, and maintaining market stability. Mr. Ghadane also called for enhanced governance structures, effective monitoring mechanisms, and improved testing capabilities to facilitate sustainable livestock development.
Next Steps in Implementation
At the conclusion of the workshop, Sanusi Abubakar, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, noted that the validation of these protocols marks a significant advancement in executing Nigeria’s National Strategy and Action Plan on Animal Genetic Resources, which was launched in June 2025. He added that the validated protocols align with FAO standards and are part of broader initiatives to develop a national gene bank and reinforce livestock breeding systems throughout the country. Stakeholders also established an implementation timeline for the end of the year that includes initiatives targeted at communication, data collection, and collaboration with technical partners, including FAO.
