Nigeria is moving to modernize its livestock farming sector through a newly announced public-private partnership with Origin Tech Group, an agri-tech company already known for its work on mechanised agriculture under the federal government’s Greener Hope Agricultural Productivity Programme (GHAPP).
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, established earlier this year under President Tinubu’s economic reform plan, has struck a deal with Origin Tech Group to co-develop technological frameworks for sustainable, efficient livestock production across the country.
The partnership was unveiled during a high-level meeting in Abuja led by Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, and Prince Samuel J. Samuel, Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group.
According to official statements, the collaboration aims to drive national livestock productivity through data systems, tech-enabled ranching, smart animal husbandry techniques, and scaled-up value chain initiatives—all while creating jobs and safeguarding the environment.
“This is not just another agriculture programme. It’s a decisive move to anchor Nigeria’s food security on modern technology and institutional coordination,” said Prince Samuel during the press briefing.
From Plough To Platform: Digital Livestock Is Here
While much of Africa’s tech energy has traditionally focused on fintech, mobility, and communications, this development signals a shift toward integrating frontier technologies into primary sectors like agriculture.
Origin Tech’s involvement could be pivotal. The company has already deployed mechanised systems across crop-based agriculture, training over 25,000 young people and working across 450,000 hectares, according to GHAPP records. Its entry into livestock via this federal alliance adds muscle to the new ministry’s mission of modernizing a sector long plagued by outdated systems and conflict over grazing land.
Why It Matters
The announcement comes at a sensitive time. Livestock disputes have contributed to regional instability in parts of Nigeria, with clashes between herders and farmers drawing national concern. Government officials have reiterated that new ranching models and smart grazing systems under the Origin-Tech partnership will be community-sensitive and inclusive.
Meanwhile, tech experts are watching the move closely. With global players eyeing Nigeria’s agri-sector, including recent interest from Saudi SALIC and Danish dairy investors, some say the local innovation sector must remain at the center of such deals to avoid future dependence.
Both Origin Tech and the Ministry say pilot phases of the initiative will begin later this year, targeting states with strong livestock heritage and youth farming potential. If successful, the model could be scaled across West Africa.
For now, the partnership represents a rare alignment of federal policy, private tech, and agri-sector modernisation. And for Nigeria’s digital economy, it’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t end at the screen—it extends to the soil, the stalls, and the systems that feed a nation.
Talking Points
A Welcome Shift to Hard Problems. For once, tech in Nigeria isn’t just about mobile apps, crypto wallets, or the next AI chatbot. This move to integrate technology into livestock farming signals a refreshing—and frankly overdue—focus on real economy challenges. The digital economy shouldn’t just be about convenience or finance; it should also fix food.
Livestock Tech Isn’t Sexy—But It’s Necessary. Let’s be honest: agri-tech, especially livestock tech, doesn’t attract the same buzz as AI or fintech.
But while urban digital elites are obsessed with building the next super app, rural Nigeria still struggles with cattle rustling, food scarcity, and herder-farmer clashes. These are not just security issues—they are tech failures waiting for innovation.
The Real Tech Revolution Will Happen on the Farm. When tech meets agriculture—especially livestock—you create multiplier effects: improved food security, fewer imports, better climate resilience, and crucially, jobs for youth. Tech bros and policy wonks should stop obsessing over Lagos or Abuja and start thinking about ranches, feedlots, and data-driven grazing.
