Nigeria Gears Up for 2026 Animal Agriculture Conference, Seeks Global Impact
By Simeon Shodimu
As Nigeria positions itself to play a leading role in Africa’s livestock transformation, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is deepening partnerships with key professional bodies to ensure global standards in knowledge exchange and innovation. Central to this effort is the forthcoming 9th Conference on Animal Agriculture, a major continental gathering expected to shape the future of livestock production and sustainability.
Nigeria is intensifying preparations to host a landmark continental gathering on livestock development, as the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has pledged full collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) ahead of the 9th Conference on Animal Agriculture scheduled for 2026.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave this assurance in Abuja while receiving members of the conference’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), led by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NIAS, Prof. Udo Herbert.
Maiha described the conference as a strategic platform for advancing innovation and strengthening Nigeria’s position within the global livestock industry. He noted that the event would feature a wide range of technical sessions, exhibitions, and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at showcasing emerging trends and technologies in animal agriculture.
He called on stakeholders across the private sector, financial institutions, and development partners to lend support to ensure the success of the event, stressing that expectations from the international community are high.
“The expectations of the international community for Nigeria as host are quite high, and we must ensure adequate preparation for a successful outing,” the minister said.
Originally scheduled for 2025, the conference was rescheduled to 2026 to allow for more comprehensive planning and coordination. Maiha added that all state offices under the ministry would be actively involved, underscoring a nationwide commitment to delivering a successful event.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the LOC, Prof. Grace Jokthan, highlighted the significance of the conference as a premier forum that will bring together experts, researchers, policymakers, and industry players from across Africa and beyond.
According to her, the conference will focus on advancing best practices in livestock production and exploring pathways to sustainable economic growth through improved animal agriculture systems.
Jokthan revealed that preparations are already in progress, covering key areas such as logistics, partnerships, and participant engagement. She appealed for continued support from the ministry to ensure seamless coordination and execution.
She also disclosed that submission of conference papers and abstracts has commenced through the official conference platform, while awareness campaigns are ongoing across social media channels to attract broad participation.
With momentum building, stakeholders see the 2026 Conference on Animal Agriculture as a defining moment for Nigeria to showcase its leadership in driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within Africa’s livestock sector.
