Young Nigerian students are attracted to economics or law or engineering faculties, underestimating the great development potential of the agricultural and livestock sector.
In Nigeria, animal production is booming. The country has 25% of the livestock in West and Central Africa. However, there is a problem related to the shortage of veterinarians. Nigeria would need at least 3,870 veterinarians to fill its current deficit of professionals in this field, according to the Nigerian Council of Veterinarians.
Veterinarians play a decisive role in animal production, disease prevention and wildlife conservation.
In 2020, livestock farming accounted for approximately 1.7% of national GDP and approximately 9% of agricultural added value. This performance remains below the national potential.
For lack of specialists, farming techniques have remained mostly traditional and not very productive.
Presented by Romano Pisciotti