Livestock Development Minister commissions intervention projects at NAPRI
. To boost dairy, beef, and small ruminants research programmesFour intervention projects provided by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) of Ahmadu Bello University have been commissioned.
The projects are strategically provided through Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) to boost dairy, beef, and small ruminants research programmes at the animal research institute.
The Hon. Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, commissioned the projects at the institute’s head office at Shika in Zaria today (Wednesday, 21st January, 2026).
The projects consist of construction of 500 tonnes per annum hay barn as well as construction and equipping of a single line 10 tonnes per hour pasture seed processing unit.
They also include a 20 tonnes per annum pasture seed drying shade, four-solar-powered borehole at NAPRI headquarters, and one-solar-powered at the institute’s outpost in Yobe.
Speaking at the well-attended event, the Hon. Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the occasion as very “significant”.
He said the interventions were strategically deployed with potential scalability to serve the various critical programmes at the institute.
The Minister noted that pasture and water were very critical to livestock production in Nigeria.
Maiha said it was expected therefore that the interventions would build the capacity of the institute for research towards climate smart drought tolerant pasture seeds compatible with Nigerian environment.
He stated that the interventions would also position the institute as a hub for local and international pasture seeds and hay commercialization.
The Minister, who reassured of more interventions for the institute, announced the award for the renovation of NAPRI’s artificial insemination and embryo transfer unit.
According to him, NAPRI was established to be a research institute of excellence in the development and dissemination of innovations and appropriate technologies.
He said this was achieved through conduct of demand-driven researches in genetic and reproductive improvements of livestock species.
“In view of this, and in line with the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, through L-PRES provided strategic interventions to critical programmes under NAPRI”, he said.
The Minister, who was accompanied to the event by the Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Matters, Prof Attahiru Jega, and some Directors from the Ministry, was later taken round the various units of the institute.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, and Ag. Director, National Animal Production Research Institute, Prof Mohammed Rabiu Hassan, led the Minister and members of his entourage on the facility tour of NAPRI soon after the commissioning ceremony.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria (NEWS/AHW/PIC/TKU)
Wednesday, 21st January, 2026
