In a move aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector, President Bola Tinubu has appointed renowned academic and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, as Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative. This high-profile appointment signals the administration’s commitment to driving sustainable development and addressing critical challenges in the agricultural sector.
Announced late Friday night by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the decision underscores Tinubu’s confidence in Jega’s expertise and leadership. “President Tinubu has appointed Prof Jega with the expectation that his wealth of experience will catalyze meaningful progress in the livestock sector, further bolstering national development efforts,” Onanuga stated.
Jega, a distinguished scholar and former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, is no stranger to the complexities of Nigeria’s livestock challenges. He previously co-chaired the Presidential Livestock Committee alongside President Tinubu, where he played a pivotal role in crafting comprehensive recommendations for sustainable reforms. Among the committee’s landmark proposals was the creation of a dedicated Livestock Ministry, which has since been established and now operates under a ministerial portfolio.
At 68, Jega brings a wealth of experience to his new role. A member of the International Elections Advisory Council and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education in Kano, Jega is widely respected for his integrity and visionary leadership. His tenure as INEC Chairman between 2010 and 2015 was marked by significant electoral reforms that restored public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Onanuga emphasized that Jega’s appointment is a strategic step to consolidate the gains of the Presidential Livestock Committee and ensure the momentum of ongoing reforms. “Prof Jega’s leadership will reinforce the progress already achieved and drive the implementation of transformative policies in the livestock sector,” he said.
This appointment comes at a critical juncture as Nigeria seeks to modernize its agricultural practices, enhance food security, and address longstanding issues such as farmer-herder conflicts. With Jega at the helm of the Livestock Reform Initiative, the Tinubu administration is poised to deliver impactful changes that could reshape the sector and unlock its vast potential for economic growth.
As the nation watches, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can Prof Jega replicate his electoral success in the agricultural arena? One thing is certain—his appointment has set the stage for a new chapter in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development.
