Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Federal Government to transform the state into a major livestock production and export hub for Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
Governor Otu made the pledge while hosting the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Muktar Maha, who was in the state ahead of the commissioning of Nigeria’s first Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility at Mfum, Etung Local Government Area. The Governor was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
Welcoming the Minister, Otu said Cross River was creating the right environment to attract investments into the livestock sector, disclosing that discussions were already underway with investors interested in the Obudu Ranch.
He said the ranch was being transformed into a five-star tourism and livestock destination, while the Obudu Cargo Airport, now about 85 per cent completed, is expected to receive its first aircraft in December 2026. Regular flights from Abuja and Lagos are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2027.
According to the Governor, the airport will provide livestock farmers with direct access to export markets, complementing the state’s strategic maritime corridor through Calabar and positioning Cross River as a gateway for agricultural exports.
“All we need is incentive to get it started here in Cross River. Our farmers are ready. The State Government will provide an enabling environment to ensure national pride in what we do here,” he said, adding that the administration aims to build one of the best livestock industries in the country.
Responding, the Minister described the Mfum Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility as a landmark project designed to protect Nigeria’s livestock industry by ensuring only healthy animals enter the country through its international borders.
“This is the first of its kind that we are building in the country. We are proud that Cross River is the first state where this is being formally commissioned,” Maha said.
He explained that the Mfum facility is the first of 12 such control posts planned along Nigeria’s international border corridors to strengthen animal health surveillance and curb the spread of transboundary animal diseases.
The Minister said his visit would also include an inspection of the Obudu Ranch and other livestock facilities to assess investment opportunities and accelerate the state’s emergence as a livestock hub.
Maha unveiled plans for a modern abattoir ecosystem in Cross River, noting that a 500-head-per-day processing facility could generate up to 10,000 jobs across the livestock value chain, including feed production, cold-chain logistics, transportation and meat processing.
He said the ministry also plans to facilitate the importation of about 60 million hatchable eggs to boost poultry production, while encouraging investment in fodder cultivation such as Napier grass, alfalfa and ryegrass to meet growing domestic and export demand.
The minister noted that Cross River’s coastal location and expanding transport infrastructure place it in a strong position to dominate the South-South red meat industry and tap into an export market valued at about $3.4 billion.
The visit accentuates the commitment of both the Federal and Cross River State governments to diversify agriculture, attract private investment, create jobs and position the state as Nigeria’s leading gateway for livestock exports by land, air and sea.
By Daniel Bebia
