Sheep and goat farming is increasingly being recognized as a business with the potential to uplift household incomes across Nigeria, especially for youth and small-scale farmers.
Abdullateef Ahmed, President of the National Sheep and Goat Development Association of Nigeria (NASHGODAN), says the livestock sector, if properly supported, can become a strong contributor to job creation and national food security, reports Weekend Trust.
“We are encouraging young people to go into sheep and goat farming through education and capacity building,” he said in an interview with our correspondent.
“The association trains them in modern farming techniques, introduces them to financial institutions for loans and grants, and helps them access markets and value-added processing opportunities.”
Looking beyond Nigeria’s borders, Ahmed noted that the industry presents significant export opportunities. With global demand for meat, wool, milk, and leather on the rise, Nigeria’s small ruminant sector could grow rapidly with the right investments.
“There’s high demand in places like the European Union, Saudi Arabia, China, the United States, France, the UAE, and Korea,” he said, adding that “we can do more with value-added products like kilishi (dried meat) and goat milk.”
Despite these efforts, farmers across the country continue to face several challenges. According to Ahmed, the most pressing problems include inadequate housing for livestock, poor nutrition and high rates of disease.
“Capital is a major challenge,” he explained. “Many farmers cannot afford to start or expand their farms. The cost of feed is rising, veterinary services are limited, and diseases continue to threaten livestock.”
He also mentioned other critical issues, including poor access to markets, double taxation, and low levels of formal education among rural farmers. “All of these combine to frustrate the efforts of hardworking farmers trying to make a living,” he said.
In Nigeria, three major goat species are predominant: the Sahel goat, the Sokoto Red goat and the West African Dwarf goat. The main breeds of sheep include Balami, Uda, West African Dwarf sheep and Yankasa. These species and breeds form the backbone of Nigeria’s small ruminant farming sector.
Additionally, the association maintains a comprehensive, state-by-state database that includes records of all sheep and goat farmers. This database captures essential details such as farmers’ contact numbers, email addresses and locations within each state. For instance, in Osogbo, Osun State, where the president is currently based, local farmers and their details are included in this structured compilation to foster collaboration and support.
According to The Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, as of 2020, Nigeria has more than 33 percent of the ruminant population in West Africa. The country’s ruminant resource is estimated at 20,585,000 cattle, 47,926,000 sheep, and 84,039,000 goats. The North West region holds the highest concentration of ruminants, with 52.42 percent of cattle, 34.95 percent of goats, and 58.76 percent of sheep, while the South East has the lowest, with 0.08 percent of cattle, 6.54 percent of goats and 1.81 percent of sheep.
There is no exact number for how many sheep and goats are slaughtered daily across Nigeria, but it is estimated that 1,500 goats and sheep are slaughtered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) every day, with the numbers varying in other states.
In a phone interview with our correspondent, Fatima Tomsu, a start-up sheep and goat farmer in Katsina State, shared her experience: “I started seven months ago,” she said. “The first thing you need is to find land for the animals. After that, I built sections for their houses with proper roofing so water doesn’t get in, because goats don’t like water. I buy them at different prices – sometimes ₦70,000, sometimes ₦60,000, smaller ones ₦40,000, and pregnant ones can cost ₦150,000, depending on their size.”
She highlighted one of the challenges she faces. “Sometimes the older goats fight the younger ones, and they can even kill them,” she said.
“When that happens, I separate the younger ones from the older ones to protect them. But overall, the business has been good. I sell at good prices and make a profit. I hope it keeps getting better.”
Also speaking in a phone interview, Aliyu Abdullahi, a sheep and goat farmer from Kano State, who has been in the business for ten years, said: “I have a large farm with many sheep and goats. The challenge is that they eat a lot, especially when you have large numbers. Feeding them can be tough sometimes. But since I sell and make a profit, I do my best to sustain and grow the business. You just have to take proper care of them to keep going.”
The association believes that with proper support from the government, many of these problems can be addressed.
“The government can play a big role,” he said.
“They can provide financial assistance, training and infrastructure. They should also invest in research and development and put in place regulations and standards that will organize and support the business.”
One area that remains underdeveloped, however, is breed improvement.
“We want to improve the quality of our stock, but exotic breeds are expensive and difficult to get,” he explained.
“We collaborate with NAPRI (National Animal Production Research Institute) in Zaria and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, but lack of capital has stalled many of our efforts.”
According to him, the association has tried to introduce more productive breeds like Boer and Kalahari goats from South Africa, but high costs and poor access have limited progress.
“Getting pure breeds is not easy, and the good ones are very costly,” he said.
Despite these setbacks, Ahmed remains hopeful. He believes that the demand for quality meat, especially goat meat, is steadily growing due to population increase, higher incomes, and shifting dietary preferences. “There is huge potential in this business,” he said. “Apart from meat, there are other markets like leather and milk that are not yet fully tapped.”
However, when it comes to funding, the story is less optimistic. Alhaji Ahmed revealed that the association has not received any financial support from the government, banks, or donor institutions.
“Even the last opportunity we were all hopeful for, during the time of former Central Bank Governor, Mr. Emefiele, ended in disappointment,” he said. “Our members had placed their hopes on it, but it failed.”
He said the association continues to advocate for stronger government attention and private investment in the sector. Ahmed believes that with the right policies and support systems in place, sheep and goat farming can play a critical role in improving livelihoods, creating jobs, and contributing to Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
