Oyebanji calls for investment and closer cooperation
Oyebanji urged the state and federal governments to work more closely on livestock production and related businesses. He said the sector could raise agricultural output, improve livelihoods and widen economic opportunities in Ekiti.
The governor said his administration was prepared to work with federal officials, investors and other stakeholders to build the sector, support lasting employment and attract livestock investment. He also praised President Bola Tinubu for establishing a dedicated livestock ministry.
"I don't believe in noise-making. I believe the only way to advertise yourself is by showcasing your achievements," Oyebanji said. Pointing to the minister's planned visit to Ikun Dairy the following day, he described the farm as part of the state's effort to make the sector sustainable and said further progress required federal support.
Maiha praised Oyebanji's use of agriculture to address poverty and unemployment. He said the federal government was ready to deepen cooperation with Ekiti, increase production, expand the agricultural value chain and sustain the state's food-security achievements.
Hospital opening and project inspections
Maiha's working visit included plans to inaugurate a veterinary hospital in Ado Ekiti and inspect projects under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) program. He identified Ikun Dairy Farm, the Emure poultry hub, an Ado Ekiti cattle market, construction of a semi-automated abattoir market and the Erifun broiler processing plant in Ado Ekiti among the sites.
Ikun Dairy Farm is in Ikun-Ekiti, in Moba Local Government Area. Established in 2019 through a partnership with the Ekiti State Government, it started with a $5 million investment. According to Promasidor Nigeria, the farm had more than 750 high-yielding cattle as of January 2026, making it Nigeria's largest dairy farm. It covered more than 500 hectares, employed over 200 local residents directly and supported more than 1,000 indirect jobs.
Those attending the governor's meeting with Maiha included Chief of Staff Niyi Adebayo; Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security Ebenezer Boluwade; Special Adviser on Media Yinka Oyebode; and L-PRES State Coordinator Olayinka Adedipe.
World Bank-backed livestock development
L-PRES became effective in Ekiti in February 2024, with financing through World Bank/IDA Credit No. 70570-NG. The state's audited project accounts describe it as a national effort to modernize Nigeria's livestock sector by improving productivity, commercialization and the resilience of production systems, while strengthening the country's ability to respond to crises.
The program also covers infrastructure approved by the World Bank in July 2025. In an announcement on July 29, 2025, Boluwade said the approval included two cattle markets: one along Iworoko Road in Ado Ekiti and another in Omuo, in Ekiti East Local Government Area. It also included an Ado Ekiti broiler processing plant and semi-automated poultry pen estates across all three of the state's senatorial districts.
Ekiti's L-PRES audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, recorded cumulative IDA credit drawings of ₦11.661 billion and state counterpart funding of ₦86.18 million. The project's total assets were ₦11.91 billion.
Federal ministry's growth plans
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development was separated from the Ministry of Agriculture in July 2024. Tinubu announced Maiha as its minister in October that year.
The ministry's Nigeria National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS 2025–2035), approved by the National Economic Council, sets a goal of building a $74 billion livestock industry by 2035. In October 2025, Maiha said Nigeria had secured $2.5 billion in investment commitments from leading Brazilian livestock companies, including JBS.
