The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has raised the alarm over the growing movement of livestock from Nigeria to other African countries, warning that the trend threatens food security, livestock production, employment, and national economic growth.
The association reported that trailers loaded daily with cattle, rams, and sheep are leaving major livestock markets in the North for Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, raising concerns about the country’s capacity to sustain domestic meat supplies and replenish its livestock population.
In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, KACRAN called on Northern governors, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, security agencies, and other stakeholders to urgently intervene to prevent what it described as a mass exodus of the nation’s livestock resources.
The association identified Potiskum in Yobe State, alongside Damaturu, Maiduguri, Ngalda, and Gombe, as major markets from which livestock are being transported to neighbouring African countries. According to Bello, information available to the association indicates that about five trailers of sheep and rams leave the small ruminants market in Potiskum daily for foreign destinations.
While acknowledging that cross-border livestock trading is a legitimate commercial activity, KACRAN argued that greater efforts should be made to retain more of the trade within Nigeria, particularly by encouraging livestock dealers to supply markets in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Asaba, and other parts of Southern Nigeria.
The association stated that such a strategy would help retain economic value within the country at a time when insecurity and diplomatic challenges have reportedly reduced livestock supplies from neighbouring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. It also expressed concern that the outflow of livestock, coupled with cattle rustling, insecurity, and inadequate grazing facilities, could further weaken Nigeria’s domestic livestock production capacity.
KACRAN traced the crisis to years of insecurity, inadequate water points, dwindling access to grazing reserves, and the neglect of pastoralism by some state governments in Northern Nigeria. It noted that cattle rustling and attacks by bandits and criminal groups across the North-West, North-East, and North-Central regions have resulted in the loss of millions of livestock, severely worsening the hardships faced by pastoralists.
The association warned that the continued depletion of the national herd could undermine efforts to improve domestic meat and milk production, create jobs, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported livestock products. It further cautioned that soaring livestock prices could make it increasingly difficult for households to purchase rams for Eid-el-Kabir and other religious and social celebrations.
According to the statement, ram prices currently range from 300,000 Naira to 1 million Naira depending on size, meaning a ram costing 100,000 Naira may no longer suffice for traditional ceremonies like a naming ceremony. KACRAN warned that the situation could deteriorate further before the next Eid-el-Kabir unless urgent measures are taken to boost local livestock production and stabilise supplies. (Note: KACRAN’s estimates of livestock movements, historical herd depletion, and market prices were not independently verified in the statement).
To address the situation, KACRAN urged Northern governors and relevant authorities to impose an immediate embargo on the export of female animals and young breeding stock, arguing that protecting breeding capacity is essential to rebuilding the national livestock population. It also called for the identification of major livestock exporters and the provision of soft loans to enable them to expand their businesses while redirecting supplies to domestic markets in Southern Nigeria.
Furthermore, the association urged state governments to reclaim and rehabilitate grazing reserves and cattle routes, provide adequate animal feed and water points, and strengthen security to eradicate cattle rustling and banditry. It advocated for the multiplication of livestock through improved breeds and the provision of affordable credit to livestock traders, farmers, and investors.
KACRAN called for financial and institutional support for businesses across the livestock value chain, arguing that investment in the sector will protect livelihoods, create youth employment, conserve foreign exchange, and boost economic growth. It urged Northern political leaders, traditional institutions, business operators, and security agencies to coordinate their efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s livestock resources and ensure the sector continues to drive food security.
