The Minister of Livestock Development, Maiha Mukhtar, has said the Federal Government is determined to deliver a robust livestock sector to Nigerians.

He said this on Friday in Abuja when he was conferred with the 2025 Best Minister Award by the Daily Asset newspaper.

He stated, “There is need to move beyond rhetoric to implementation and the ministry is focused on sedentarisation, mechanisation, dairy development, youth engagement, and the adoption of technology across the livestock value chain.”

Mr Mukhtar appreciated the organisation, describing the recognition as humbling and deeply emotional.

He emphasised that the post-award reception provided an opportunity to celebrate the recognition and engage informally with stakeholders on the ministry’s ongoing reforms and achievements.

Mr Mukhtar described the award as a
‘jet propulsion engine.’

According to him, it will further energise the ministry to raise its performance bar, defy limitations and deliver tangible outcomes in 2026 and beyond.

He said the Federal Government would  transform the livestock sector into a major contributor to GDP, rural employment, national food security and peace.

He noted, “Nigeria has the resources and capacity to achieve far greater productivity and competitiveness in livestock production.”

He emphasised that the award belong to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a whole, and dedicated it to the ministry staff.

According to him, the ministry’s staff are critical partners in delivering results in spite operational and funding challenges.

He appreciated the media, partners and stakeholders for their continued support and reaffirmed the ministry’s determination to justify the confidence reposed in it through sustained performance and impactful reforms.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Dr Cletus Akwaya, said that the minister was selected based on his visionary leadership and policy clarity.

Mr Akwaya further said that he was selected for his measurable impact in repositioning the livestock sector as a tool for peace building, food security and economic diversification.

He said that the newspaper’s reporting and assessment revealed a consistent focus on solutions that unite the country, promote productivity and address the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts.

(NAN)