By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to digitally register, ear-tag and microchip all four-legged livestock across Nigeria in a sweeping reform aimed at tackling cattle rustling, improving animal traceability, strengthening food security and modernising the livestock sector.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced the initiative on Thursday in Abuja at the 2026 National Conference of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), themed “Strengthening Peaceful Pastoralism, Livestock Transformation and National Development.”
Maiha said every cattle, sheep and goat in the country would soon be registered under a National Animal Identification and Traceability System, with each animal carrying a digital ear tag and microchip linked to its owner.
According to the minister, the programme will provide proof of ownership, enable security agencies to trace stolen animals through digital technology, curb cattle rustling, improve animal health management and enhance Nigeria’s access to international livestock markets.
He disclosed that no livestock would in future be transported to markets, abattoirs or slaughter slabs without an approved ear tag and proof of ownership.
“In the not-too-distant future, all four-legged animals will carry ear tags and microchips for geolocation and proof of ownership. This is the only sustainable way to stop cattle rustling and illegal livestock trade,” Maiha said.
The minister explained that the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, a 10-year roadmap approved to transform livestock production through improved breeding, veterinary services, pasture development, ranching, animal identification and private-sector investment.
He also revealed that the ministry is constructing 20 modern veterinary hospitals nationwide, with seven already completed, alongside vaccine storage facilities capable of preserving about 40 million vaccine doses and additional veterinary clinics to strengthen animal healthcare delivery across the country.
Maiha urged pastoralists to embrace modern livestock production practices, including ranching, describing the pilot ranching project at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State as a model for nationwide implementation.
Earlier in his remarks , MACBAN National President, Baba Othman Ngelzama, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a landmark decision that has renewed hope for millions of livestock producers.
Ngelzama said the ministry would play a strategic role in boosting food security, economic growth, employment and sustainable livestock production.
He, however, lamented that pastoral communities continue to suffer from insecurity, cattle rustling, kidnapping, banditry and the devastating effects of climate change.
The MACBAN president declared the association’s total rejection of terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, banditry and every form of violent criminality, stressing that criminals should never be identified by ethnicity, religion or occupation.
“MACBAN unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms, including banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and violent criminality. Criminals must never be identified with any ethnic group, religion or occupation. Those who violate the law must face justice,” he said.
He pledged the association’s continued cooperation with security agencies through intelligence sharing and sensitisation of members to reject criminality.
Ngelzama also called for increased investment in climate-smart livestock production, pasture development, water infrastructure and restoration of grazing reserves to reduce conflicts between farmers and herders.
He disclosed that MACBAN is developing partnerships with international organisations, including milk processors in the United States, to facilitate technology transfer, improve meat processing standards, strengthen livestock value chains and attract private investment into the sector.
The association, he added, is also promoting the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to unite livestock producers, processors, financial institutions, researchers and investors to accelerate industry growth.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, urged Nigerians to stop stereotyping Fulani people over the actions of criminals.
He maintained that every community has both good and bad individuals and insisted that criminal responsibility should remain personal rather than ethnic.
The Sultan pledged the support of traditional rulers and Fulani communities to President Tinubu, the Ministry of Livestock Development and security agencies in flushing out criminal elements from pastoral settlements across the country.
He urged herders and MACBAN State Chairmen nationwide to work closely with authorities in identifying and exposing criminals, saying peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding remain the foundation for national unity and sustainable livestock development.
