Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced plans to collaborate with the National Association of Donkey Farmers to strengthen donkey farming in Nigeria, improve investment in the sector, and address growing concerns over illegal and unregulated donkey trade across the country.
The announcement was made during a stakeholder engagement on the donkey value chain, where officials stressed the need to formalise donkey farming activities and improve regulatory oversight in order to ensure sustainability and economic viability within the subsector.
Officials explained that donkeys remain an important asset in rural communities, particularly in northern and semi-arid regions where they are widely used for transportation, farming activities, and small-scale logistics. Despite their importance, the sector has come under pressure in recent years due to unregulated slaughter, illegal trafficking, and increasing demand for donkey products, especially skins.
Authorities noted that these pressures have contributed to a decline in donkey populations in some areas, raising concerns about long-term availability for rural households that depend on them for daily economic activities. They warned that without proper regulation, the situation could worsen and affect agricultural productivity in vulnerable communities.
Under the planned partnership, the ministry is expected to work closely with registered donkey farmers to develop structured breeding systems, improve animal health management, and introduce traceability mechanisms that can help distinguish legal farming operations from illegal trade networks. The initiative is also expected to include capacity building, veterinary support, and improved data collection on donkey populations across the country.
The National Association of Donkey Farmers welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step toward recognising and strengthening a sector that has long operated informally. The group said that proper investment and regulation could help unlock economic opportunities, improve livelihoods, and support rural development if effectively implemented.
However, stakeholders within the livestock sector have repeatedly raised concerns about the growing illegal trade in donkeys, particularly cross-border trafficking driven by demand for donkey skins. Reports from regional discussions have linked this demand to increased slaughter rates in parts of West Africa, prompting calls for tighter enforcement and regional coordination.
Animal welfare advocates and policy experts have also warned that uncontrolled exploitation of donkey populations could have wider socio-economic consequences, particularly for rural communities that rely on them for transportation and farm work. They argue that a decline in donkey availability could increase transport costs and deepen rural economic challenges.
In response, the ministry said its approach would combine regulation with development support, aiming not only to curb illegal activities but also to encourage legitimate donkey farming enterprises. Officials emphasised that the goal is to create a sustainable and well-structured value chain that benefits farmers while protecting the resource base.
The proposed framework is expected to include collaboration with security agencies to curb illegal trafficking, improved monitoring of slaughter and trade activities, and engagement with border authorities to reduce cross-border smuggling. It will also involve sensitisation campaigns to educate farmers and traders on legal requirements and sustainable practices.
Donkey farming in Nigeria remains largely informal, with limited standardisation or institutional support compared to other livestock subsectors. Despite this, interest in the sector has grown due to its perceived economic potential, particularly in breeding and value-added products.
Government officials stated that developing the sector could contribute to broader agricultural diversification efforts, support rural incomes, and create employment opportunities, especially for small-scale farmers. They also noted that improved regulation would help align the sector with national livestock development goals.
As implementation plans are refined, attention will focus on how effectively the partnership can address illegal trade while building a structured and sustainable donkey farming system. Stakeholders say the success of the initiative will depend on consistent enforcement, adequate funding, and strong collaboration between government, farmers, and regulatory bodies.
For now, the announcement marks a significant step toward formalising a previously underregulated segment of Nigeria’s livestock industry, with both economic and regulatory implications for rural communities and agricultural policy.
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