The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has raised alarm over the growing influx of livestock and related products into Nigeria, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to local production and the survival of domestic agribusinesses.
Speaking on the issue, Gabriel Idahosa, President of the LCCI, said the surge in cheaper imported livestock products such as meat, poultry, and dairy has significantly reduced patronage for locally produced goods. He attributed the disparity to stronger foreign currencies, lower production costs abroad, and Nigeria’s inadequate investment in agricultural infrastructure.
According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria imported livestock and related products valued at ₦815.03 billion in the first half of 2025, while exports stood at ₦51.57 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of ₦763.47 billion for the period. Between 2020 and 2024, total livestock imports ballooned from ₦454.52 billion to ₦1.49 trillion, highlighting the deepening imbalance.
Idahosa emphasized that while Nigeria has the technical expertise to achieve self-sufficiency, the country continues to suffer from underinvestment in key areas such as ranching, feed systems, cold-chain logistics, and modern breeding facilities. “Without urgent intervention, we risk eroding the competitiveness of our local livestock industry,” he warned.
The LCCI urged the Federal Government to implement policies aimed at reducing livestock imports by 50 percent within the next five years and to create an enabling environment for domestic production and export across the West African region.
The chamber also identified several challenges constraining growth in the sector, including poor infrastructure, insecurity in farming regions, inconsistent government policies, and low productivity with local dairy cows reportedly producing less than 1.5 liters of milk per day on average.
“The livestock sector can become a major export earner for Nigeria if properly harnessed,” the LCCI said, calling for coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors to revitalize the industry and strengthen the nation’s food security.
