FG Targets Wudil Livestock Market as West Africa’s Model Hub

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the Wudil Livestock Market in Kano State into a flagship, international-standard livestock hub and a reference point for modern livestock trade in West Africa.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known on Friday 3rd July 2026, during an extensive inspection of key livestock infrastructure in the state, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the livestock value chain through modernisation, industrial processing, and improved market systems.

He described the Wudil Livestock Market as a strategic asset, noting its scale, commercial importance, and regional influence, with an estimated throughput of about 130 trucks of livestock weekly, each carrying no fewer than 35 cattle. 

According to him, the market already functions as one of the most active livestock trading centres in Northern Nigeria and therefore presents a strong foundation for transformation into a world-class facility.

The Minister explained that the current structure of the market, though economically significant, is constrained by environmental and infrastructural challenges, including inadequate sanitation systems, lack of proper slaughtering infrastructure, absence of loading bays, weak veterinary facilities, and insufficient regulatory controls.

“Wudil is a strategic national asset, however, the environmental and operational gaps are significant. Our goal is to redesign this market and reposition it into a modern, permanent livestock exchange hub that operates daily and meets international standards," he said. 

The reform will shift livestock trade from live animal dependence to a value-added system driven by feedlots and modern abattoirs. “On average, animals lose about 25 kilograms in transit. This is avoidable loss of value that we must eliminate,” Mukhtar noted.

According to Mukhtar, the planned intervention will feature structured animal pens, segregated species holding areas, veterinary quarantine and inspection units, administrative offices, banking facilities, security posts, hospitality services, and organised commercial zones.

In addition, the entire facility will be fully fenced and operated under a regulated entry and transaction system, where animals are registered, weighed, and tracked to ensure transparency, accountability, and improved revenue generation for the State Government.

The Commissioner for Kano State Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and transformative. He noted that the State Government has already keyed into the proposal and is committed to working with the Federal Government to upgrade Wudil into a model livestock market that can serve as a benchmark for the subregion.

Aliyu added that the reform aligns with the state’s broader agricultural modernisation agenda and would significantly improve revenue generation, trade efficiency, and livestock management.

The Minister also visited selected feedlots in Wudil and the Wudil Milk Collection Centre, where he engaged with stakeholders on strengthening dairy aggregation systems and deepening integration within the livestock value chain. 

Additionally, he toured the Samal Integrated Farm where management briefed him on their operations and engaged in a productive dialogue regarding the farm's future growth.

Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations 
3rd July, 2026