The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) on the 9th edition of the Conference on Animal Agriculture, scheduled to hold in 2026 in Nigeria.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Local Organising Committee (LOC), led by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NIAS, Prof. Udo Herbert.

Maiha said the conference would feature technical lectures and exhibitions showcasing innovations in animal agriculture, while calling on stakeholders across the private sector, financial institutions, and development partners to support the event.

He noted that the conference, initially slated for 2025 but rescheduled to 2026, requires thorough planning to meet expectations, particularly from the international community.

According to the minister, “The expectations of the international community for Nigeria as host are quite high, and we must ensure adequate preparation for a successful outing.”

He added that all state offices of the Ministry of Livestock Development would actively participate in the conference.

Speaking earlier, Chairperson of the LOC, Prof. Grace Jokthan, said the conference would convene experts, researchers, and stakeholders from across Africa to deliberate on developments and best practices in animal agriculture and livestock production.

She explained that the discussions would focus on driving sustainable economic growth through improved livestock systems.

Jokthan also disclosed that preparations were already underway, covering logistics, partnerships, and participant engagement strategies.

She appealed to the ministry to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure the successful hosting of what she described as a flagship event in Africa’s livestock sector.

The LOC chair further revealed that the submission of conference papers and abstracts had commenced via the official conference website, alongside ongoing awareness campaigns across social media platforms to boost participation.