Olayinka Miriam Tawose, a leading ruminant production specialist, has identified Nigeria’s ruminant livestock sector as one of the country’s most overlooked economic opportunities, warning that poor utilisation, not scarcity, is holding the industry back.
Speaking at a recent engagement with agricultural stakeholders, Tawose said public debate has focused too narrowly on conflicts and productivity challenges, obscuring the vast potential of cattle, sheep, and goats to drive food security, rural incomes, and economic resilience.
“Ruminants are not a burden; they are assets,” she said, noting their unique ability to convert fibrous, non-edible plant materials into high-quality protein.
She pointed out that millions of tonnes of crop residues, such as rice straw, maize stover, cassava peels, yam vines, and groundnut haulms, are wasted annually in Nigeria, despite being viable feed resources. “What we call waste is actually feed. The issue is poor utilisation,” she said.
Tawose highlighted low-cost feed technologies, including urea treatment, ensiling, strategic supplementation, and locally sourced protein additives, which can significantly boost animal productivity if supported by effective extension services and policy backing.
She also urged greater investment in Nigeria’s indigenous ruminant breeds, describing White Fulani cattle, Muturu, Red Sokoto goats, and West African Dwarf sheep as “genetic treasures” well adapted to local climates, diseases, and low-quality forage. Rather than replacing them with exotic breeds, she called for improvements through better nutrition, management, and selective breeding.
Warning against heavy dependence on imported feed ingredients, Tawose advocated forage-based systems built around tropical grasses and legumes such as Stylosanthes, Centrosema, Lablab, and Moringa. She said wider adoption could cut feed costs, improve yields, and strengthen soil fertility.
Beyond meat and milk, she stressed that ruminants play a critical role in rural livelihoods, serving as income stabilisers, sources of organic manure, and financial safety nets, particularly for women and young people.
To unlock the sector’s full value, Tawose called for a shift toward semi-intensive, climate-smart production systems, supported by investment in feed conservation, veterinary services, water infrastructure, digitalisation, and conflict-sensitive land-use planning.
“Nigeria does not lack potential,” she said. “What we lack is strategy.”
She concluded that with focused public–private partnerships and stronger links between research and farmers, Nigeria can turn ruminant production into a globally competitive industry that supports food security, economic growth, and sustainable development.
