NEC appoints Gov. Idris as Chair livestock development Committee
The National Economic Council (NEC) has appointed the Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, as Chairman of a newly constituted committee on livestock development, aimed at fast-tracking reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The decision was taken on Wednesday at the 155th meeting of NEC, which was held virtually and chaired by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice President said the appointment reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to finding a practical, enduring and nationally accepted solution to the long-standing farmer -herder crisis, which he described as central to achieving food security.
Shettima noted that years of unresolved tensions between farmers and herders have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of farmlands and deepened mistrust in rural communities across the country.
According to him, Nigeria cannot sustainably guarantee food security without decisively addressing the farmer–herder challenge, stressing that feeding the nation remains both moral and economic obligation of government.
The committee comprises one representative from each of the six geopolitical zones: Bauchi State (North-East), Niger State (North-Central), Ondo State (South-West), Imo State (South-East), Cross River State (South-South) and Kebbi State (North-West).
Other members of the committee include the Ministers of Livestock Development; Agriculture and Food Security; Budget and Economic Planning; as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness in the Office of the Vice President.
NEC mandated the committee, under the leadership of Governor Idris, to review the recommendations of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee (PLRC) and proposals from the Ministry of Livestock Development, and to identify interested states for the implementation of livestock development programmes.
The Vice President recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Federal Executive Council meeting of December 10, 2025, directed NEC to collaborate with the Ministry of Livestock Development to develop a comprehensive roadmap for transforming the livestock industry.
He commended the President for establishing a separate Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a clear demonstration of commitment to repositioning the sector as a catalyst for economic growth, peace and national stability.
Shettima urged state governors to support the Kebbi-led committee by harnessing the livestock sector for economic transformation, conflict resolution and the restoration of peace, assuring that the committee’s recommendations would receive priority attention from the Tinubu administration.
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