The United States has launched a fresh initiative to expand agricultural trade and investment with Nigeria, placing the country’s livestock sector at the centre of a new push involving American technology, technical expertise and private-sector partnerships.
The initiative, implemented under the Freedom 250 programme of the US Mission in Nigeria, brought American livestock development expert Dr. Gregg BeVier to Nigeria for engagements with policymakers, agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and livestock-sector stakeholders between August 10 and 13.
BeVier participated in the All-Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture in Abuja, where he engaged officials of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Livestock Reforms and Implementation Committee on opportunities for American private-sector participation in Nigeria’s livestock transformation.
The discussions were supported by the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
Related News: Professor Jason Arday Dies Suddenly in London at 41
A major component of the initiative was the US-Nigeria Livestock and Feed Connect, a business-to-business platform designed to link American livestock and animal-husbandry companies with Nigerian businesses interested in technology, commercial partnerships and investment.
The US push comes as Nigeria seeks to modernise a livestock industry estimated by the Federal Government at more than $32 billion, with an ambition to expand its value to $74 billion. Government plans have identified red meat, dairy and leather as priority value chains for investment, import substitution, exports and job creation.
The commercial opportunity is already significant. US Department of Agriculture data show that Nigeria imported about $50 million in feed and related products and $5 million in live animals in 2025, highlighting potential markets for American livestock genetics, feed technology, animal-health products and related services.
Related News: Umueze Community 2026 Ulo Festival Turn Carnival in Igbuzo
Washington’s renewed engagement also builds on earlier efforts to facilitate livestock trade. The United States and Nigeria signed seven animal-health export protocols in December 2024, creating additional opportunities for US livestock, genetics and animal-feed exports as Nigeria expands commercial production.
Beyond trade, the initiative is intended to strengthen knowledge transfer and encourage young Nigerians to participate in livestock innovation and agribusiness.
BeVier also engaged audiences through American Spaces across Nigeria, highlighting opportunities to improve productivity through modern animal husbandry and technology.
For Nigeria, the partnership comes as the Federal Government increasingly positions livestock as a pillar of food security, employment, rural development and economic diversification.
Related News: Osun Election: Police Restrict Movement, Bar Amotekun From Election Duties
For the United States, it offers an avenue to expand commercial opportunities for American agricultural companies while strengthening the broader US-Nigeria economic relationship.
BeVier brings more than three decades of livestock and agribusiness experience to the initiative and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of ST Genetics and Chief Executive Officer of Fast Genetics. He previously managed the livestock portfolio at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
