NIAS inducts 252 animal scientists, tasks members on ethics

The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has inducted 252 registered animal scientists and five associate members.

Speaking at the 2025 Animal Science Meeting and Industry Exposition held in Abuja, Simeon Ohwofa, president of NIAS, said the new inductees had undergone rigorous training and were found worthy in character and learning to contribute to national development through ethical and professional practice.

“Today, you do not just earn recognition; you inherit a mandate. Your oath will not only license your practice but bind you to excellence, discipline, and national development. The badge you are about to receive is not for decoration, but for duty,” he said.

Ohwofa, who spoke on the theme ‘Transforming Nigeria’s Livestock Sector for Economic Growth and Global Competitiveness’, said that the induction marked a new chapter in the country’s drive to strengthen professionalism and quality standards within the livestock industry.

He noted that with the new inductees, the institute now has 2,936 registered animal scientists, 154 associate animal scientists, and 127 Fellows.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a milestone that aligns Nigeria’s livestock sector with global best practices.

According to him, the institute is working with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF), through the Feed Industry Practitioners Association of Nigeria (FIPAN), to promote safe, nutritious, and sustainable livestock production.

He urged the inductees to contribute to food security, economic diversification, and sustainable agricultural development through science-driven innovation and responsible practice.

In his remarks, Idi Maiha, the minister of livestock development, said the establishment of the ministry represents a turning point in Nigeria’s agricultural history after years of advocacy for more attention to the livestock sector.

“For the first time since independence, we have a government that recognizes the importance of livestock and has established this ministry,” Maiha said.

He noted that the ministry aims to improve livestock productivity through local breeds capable of gaining two kilograms per day, adding that the administration’s goal is to ensure that Nigerians can “drink fresh milk from Nigerian cows and eat quality meat from Nigerian farms”.

Maiha lamented Nigeria’s low participation in the $300 billion global meat market, calling on researchers and industry experts to drive the transition from traditional to modern production systems.

At the event, NIAS conferred honorary fellowship awards on Maiha and Attahiru Jega, former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, for their contributions to national development.

Jega, while receiving the honour, expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing it as a call to further support knowledge-based growth in agriculture and food security.

The meeting brought together stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector to explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s livestock value chain through science-based innovations.