Nigeria has potential to export animal products, says UI don 

A Professor of Meat Science at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Professor Andrew Babatunde Omojola, has said Nigeria has the potential to export animal products to regional and international markets, which will help the foreign exchange earnings and economic growth of the country. 

He made the disclosure while delivering the 570th Inaugural Lecture of the University on behalf of the Faculty of Agriculture, titled: ‘Animal Products in the Eye of the Storm: The Untold Story.’

The inaugural lecturer stated that animal products play a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy and national development, contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, food security, and nutrition. 

He, therefore, called for efforts to address the challenges and leverage the opportunities in the sector to further enhance its contribution to Nigeria’s development goals.

Professor Omojola identified the challenges facing the animal product industry to include disease outbreaks, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to finance and technology.  

He said addressing these challenges would present opportunities for growth and development such as, improving productivity through better animal husbandry practices, investing in processing and value addition, and enhancing market access through improved infrastructure and trade facilitation.

While addressing some misconceptions about animal products, the academic debunked claims that red meat causes cancer, noting that meat does not increase cardiovascular disease risk; that no conclusive evidence supports the claim that meat consumption causes type 2 diabetes, while milk is wrongly blamed for osteoporosis, acne, and obesity.

He advised that the focus should rather shift from red meat to overall dietary patterns and lifestyle factors.  The don further encouraged the management of the university to key into the new Ministry of Livestock Development by partnering with the new ministry in policy formulation and the creation of an enabling action plan.

The Inaugural Lecture was the 20th in the series for the 2023/2024 academic session.