Livestock and animal production is part of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. In the second quarter of 2023, the contribution of livestock production to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experienced an increase of 2.3 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Hence, the need to sustain animal production in Nigeria. This is the focal point of the 49th Annual Conference of the National Society for Animal Production (NSAP) in collaboration with the University of Ibadan (U.I) held between Monday, March 25, 2024, and Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Auditorium, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
The NSAP is a society that aims to promote the study and practice of all aspects of animal production; provide a forum for discussion of scientific and industrial policies, and social and educational issues relevant to the development of animal production in Nigeria; engage in and support the publication of scientific and educational materials related to animal production; cooperate with organisations with similar objectives within and outside Nigeria. It was inaugurated during the first symposium on Animal Production in the Tropics held in March 1973 at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. From its inception, the society’s flagship conference has helped to shape policy direction, develop skilled manpower, and promote entrepreneurs within the livestock sector. This year, the society has again gathered stakeholders involved in different aspects of Animal production from universities, research institutes, and government agencies.
As a society that embraces all aspects of animal production and related disciplines, the theme for this year’s conference “Improving Animal Agriculture for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria” brought together stakeholders, experts, scientists, academicians, and the general public to deliberate how to sustain animal agriculture in Nigeria.
Dignitaries and personalities from across the country and outside of Nigeria witnessed the occasion of this year’s conference. The Chairman of the occasion, Maye Olubadan of Ibadan, also the Chairman, West-Midland Communications, the mother company of Splash FM, the first independent radio station in Oyo State; and Lagelu FM, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Adebayo Akande, MFR; the Chief Host, and the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, represented by the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Adekeye Abiona; the first female Emeritus Professor of Agriculture in Nigeria, Professor Grace Longe; Deans of Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan; Provost, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology; the President, Ghana Society of Animal Production, Professor Julius Kofi Hagan of the University of Cape Coast Ghana, among other important dignitaries that graced the occasion .
Congratulating the association on the auspicious occasion of the conference, the Vice Chancellor of the Uniiversity of Ibadan, ably represented, identified the significance of the conference and its selected theme to the present situation of Nigeria’s economy, where many persons are struggling to put food on the table. In his address, the President of NASP, Prof. Francis O. Abeke, FNSAP who boasted that the NASP has produced many other societies in Nigeria, stated that the choice of UI for this year’s conference was to bring the association back to its roots. He also explained that the choice of this year’s annual conference is the need for the society to chart a course of action towards revamping Nigeria’s economy by proffering solutions that will enhance economic growth through livestock production. He noted the certainty of restoring the nation’s economy through livestock farming. Prof. Abeke also called on the government at all levels to ensure active implementation of necessary policies. The President announced the relaunching and functioning of the society and society’s journal website, among other activities of the society in the past year.
Following the President’s address, in his royal speech, the Chairman of the occasion, the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Muritala Adebayo Akande, MFR delivered by the General Manager, Lagelu/Splash FM, Mr. Tunde Olawuwo, the Oba assured of diversifying into animal production after the conference. Oba Akande also promised his modest support for the association as the need arises.
The calibre of experts and stakeholders making impacts in the country who are within the reach of the society speaks volume of the significance of NSAP in Nigeria. A trained animal scientist, salesman, marketer, and the founder of an Agro-allied company with an unwavering focus on creating overall value for customers, Biacom Agro Nigeria Limited, Otunba (Dr.) Adebayo Odunowo gave the Keynote Address at the conference. Odunowo, addressing stakeholders, pointed out that the necessity is not on growing the country’s economy through agriculture but how to achieve sustainable growth. The Biacom CEO who gave statistics of animal agricultural industry in Nigeria, identified specific animal industries where Nigeria leads in Africa.
Boasting that Nigeria’s egg production is the largest in Africa, the Keynote speaker also expressed that “poultry remains the best way of bridging the gap in the consumption of Animal Protein. In the last ten years, we have made a growth of 56% followed by that of pig.” He also lamented that animal agriculture in Nigeria has not made a sustainable growth over the years, in the face of present challenge of food insecurity in Nigeria. With stated statistics, Otunba Odunowo added that rather than increasing stock, Nigerian farmers are reducing stock. Farmers, agricultural experts, and all stakeholders, are therefore, challenged to follow the footsteps of other African nations in ensuring sustainable growth of animal agriculture for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria.
Having received the Royal Fathers Award presented by the NSAP President, the Chairman of the occasion, Oba Muritala Adebayo Akande, MFR also made his donation for the launch of the NSAP journal. The conference was also characterized by the investiture as the 50th Fellow of National Society for Animal Production (NSAP) on the Deputy Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Isaac Sammani Butswat who was represented at the event, in recognition of his enormous contribution in the field of animal agriculture.
Other awards included the captain of industry award presented to, High Chief Simeon A. Ohwofa, the Chairman/CEO, Nutrivitas Ltd& OM Simons Nig. Ltd; Mr. Raymond Obiajulu Isiadinso, MD/CEO Mid Century Agro-Allied Ventures Ltd; Dr. Oladapo Atanda Alalade, MD/CEO, Adon Agroallied Nigeria Limited; Oleksandr Tymoshenko, Chairman, Novi Agro Limited; and Olawole Tunmise Olagbaju, MD/CEO Real People Concept. Academic leadership award of the society was presented to the Provost, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation Ibadan, Dr. Adekoya Owosibo. Academic excellence award to, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, UI, Professor Andrew Babatunde Omojola; Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Olufunke Ola-Davies; Professor M.K Adewumi, the Head of Department of Animal Science, UI. Other categories of awards included, Award of Leadership Diligence, Award of Pragmatic Scientist, Award of Research Excellence, the NSAP Young Scientist Award sponsored by Prof. D. J. Kalla, and Academic Students award.
Various institutes and societies from related fields such as Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), National Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Animal Science Association of Nigeria and Ghana Society for Animal Production, while giving their goodwill addresses, lauded that the theme of the 49th conference of the NSAP is timely for the present situation of Nigeria, challenging and longing that the successful deliberations will in no time, salvage the food and economic crisis in the country. The Ghanaian counterpart, the President of Ghana Society of Animal Production expressed his excitement to be part of the conference being his first visit to Nigeria, charging on developing policies that are not only plant-related but also animal-related.
During the plenary sessions, the first speaker, a Professor of Animal Genetics and Breeding at the Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Saidu Oseni, speaking on “Digital Technologies for Enhanced Animal Production,” emphasized on employing the broad spectrum of Artificial Intelligence (AI), how AI will merge with farm and feeds and how it serves as a driving tool for improvement of animals in the livestock industry. He stressed the effectiveness of the adoption of these AI tools and machines in animal science industries. The speaker at the second plenary session, s Senior Livestock scientist with over 18years experience in the production and improvement of livestock feed sources and country representative of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Nigeria, Dr. Tunde Adegoke Amole who was ably represented, spoke on the topic “Declaration of State of Emergency on Food Security: Roles of Stakeholders in Profitable Animal Production in Nigeria” where he identified the need for more stakeholders, even in the political sector, in order to ensure implementation of existing policies, assuring the development of a roadmap that will enhance animal productivity without leaving any stakeholder behind. Questions and answers ensued the plenary sessions.
In separate interviews after the conference, experts and practitioners who spoke to CEOAfrica expressed their elation at the improvement and excellent organisation of the 49th conference. Stakeholders also gave their suggestions on solving the current hike in prices of food, while they made calls for governmental assistance.
The NSAP-UI 2024 Conference also featured the unveiling of the NSAP journal, song presentation by the department of Animal Science choir, cultural performance demonstrating the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, scientific sessions, annual general meeting, cocktail, Fellows’ Night/Dinner, among others. The local organising committee was chaired by Professor O. J. Babayemi and the secretary, Dr. T. O. Ososanya, among other members.
Notably, the first conference of the NSAP held at the University of Ibadan while Professor V. A. Oyenuga was the first President. At the year’s conference, the University of Ibadan, and precisely the Department of Animal Science of the university has for the second time after 50 years, produced a new President, starting another 50years journey for the NSAP. The newly elected NSAP National Executive Council (NEC) Members are, the President, Prof O. J. Babayemi; Vice President, Prof. E. B. Etuk; Secretary, Dr. F. O. Jemiseye; Assistant Secretary, Dr. N. P. Achi; Editor in Chief, Prof. O. A. Abu; Deputy Editor in Chief, Dr. S. B. Adedeji; Treasurer, Dr. G. Z. Rekwot; Publicity Secretary, Dr. U. S. Salisu; Ex-Officio III, Dr. M. I. Ghude; Ex-Officio II, Dr. F. U. Udeh; and Ex-Officio I, Prof. F. O. Abeke. Formal Handing and Taking Over on Friday, May 17th, 2024.
