The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern over Nigeria’s growing dependence on cheap foreign livestock products, warning that the trend is stifling local producers, threatening jobs, and undermining agricultural sustainability.
LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa explained that the influx of imported livestock has created an uneven playing field for Nigerian farmers and small agribusinesses, many of whom are struggling to compete with the lower prices of foreign products. He noted that stronger foreign currencies, cheaper production costs abroad, and Nigeria’s weak production systems have made local goods less competitive.
Idahosa said the situation is also worsening pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he revealed that Nigeria imported livestock and related products worth N815.03 billion in the first half of 2025, while exports stood at only N51.57 billion, leading to a deficit of N763.47 billion.
He noted that between 2020 and mid-2025, Nigeria spent a total of N4.46 trillion on livestock imports, up from N454.52 billion in 2020 to N1.49 trillion in 2024. “These figures clearly show that we are still largely dependent on external supply to meet both domestic and industrial demand,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria has the technical capacity to develop a strong livestock industry but has failed to make sufficient investments in infrastructure, feed systems, and breeding technology. “We have the knowledge and skills, but our investment in local production remains too weak to drive real economic growth,” Idahosa explained.
He pointed out that the country’s livestock productivity is still far below international standards. For example, local cows produce less than 1.5 litres of milk per day on average, compared to over 20 litres globally. Nigeria’s annual milk production is around 600,000 metric tonnes, while national demand exceeds one million tonnes. The shortfall, he added, costs Nigeria over $1.5 billion yearly in dairy imports.
Idahosa identified inadequate infrastructure, policy inconsistency, insecurity, and poor investment as key challenges limiting the growth of the livestock sector. He said Nigeria must prioritize modern ranching systems, better feed production, cold-chain logistics, and advanced breeding methods to strengthen competitiveness.
He also emphasized the need for measurable national goals to reverse the current import trend. “We should be working toward a livestock sector that supports exports rather than one that depends on imports,” he said. “Nigeria has the potential to become a major supplier of livestock and dairy products within West Africa if the right investments are made.”
Industry experts have backed LCCI’s concerns, warning that failure to address the issue could further weaken local production and deepen import dependence. They highlighted that revitalizing the livestock industry is critical for job creation, food security, and reducing pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
