By Brandon Moss

In a strategic move to strengthen livestock productivity and rural livelihoods, the government of Yobe State in northeastern Nigeria has pledged ₦80 million (approximately USD 52,000) as its counterpart funding for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), a multi-year initiative running through 2026.

The announcement was made by Adama Madaki, the state coordinator for L-PRES, during a media briefing in Damaturu, the state capital. She described the project as a six-year collaboration between the World Bank and participating Nigerian states, aimed at transforming livestock value chains and improving resilience in pastoral communities.

“L-PRES is currently active in 20 states across the country,” Madaki noted. “It focuses on key value chains such as sheep and goats, dairy, beef, poultry, piggery, and honey production.”

Launched in December 2022, the project is designed to enhance livestock productivity, promote commercialisation, and build resilience in targeted production systems. In Yobe, implementation has already led to the installation of over 71 solar-powered boreholes across grazing reserves, stock routes, and pastoralist settlements—providing critical water access in arid zones.

To support sustainable pasture development, five demonstration sites have been established in Lawankalam, Geidam, Jakusko, Kanda, and Danchuwa. Veterinary infrastructure has also received a boost, with clinics in Potiskum, Nguru, and Damaturu rehabilitated and equipped with modern laboratory tools.

Additional components of the project include the construction of a modern livestock market in Geidam and the development of slaughter slabs in various locations to improve hygiene and processing standards.

Madaki highlighted the project’s capacity-building efforts, revealing that over 600 individuals—including veterinary professionals, livestock farmers, and environmental experts—have been trained in areas such as animal husbandry, waste management, and conflict resolution.

She praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for his proactive support, noting that the state had already fulfilled its 2026 funding commitment ahead of schedule. “Governor Buni’s dedication to agricultural development is evident. He’s invested in the future of our livestock sector, even before the calendar demands it,” she said.

With funding secured and infrastructure expanding, Yobe State is positioning itself as a model for livestock resilience and rural transformation in Nigeria’s northern region.