KANO, Nigeria — The Federal Government has unveiled plans to upgrade the Wudil Livestock Market in Kano State into a world-class hub, positioning it as a model for modern livestock trade across West Africa.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed the plan during an inspection of livestock infrastructure in the state, describing Wudil as a strategic national asset with significant commercial potential.
“Wudil is a strategic national asset; however, the environmental and operational gaps are significant. Our goal is to redesign this market and reposition it into a modern, permanent livestock exchange hub that meets international standards,” he said.
The market currently handles an estimated 130 trucks of livestock weekly, each transporting at least 35 cattle, making it one of the busiest trading centres in Northern Nigeria.
Maiha noted that despite its scale, the facility faces major infrastructural and regulatory challenges, including poor sanitation, inadequate slaughtering systems, weak veterinary services and lack of organised trading structures.
He said the planned reform will shift livestock trading from a largely informal, live-animal system to a value-driven model anchored on feedlots, modern abattoirs and improved logistics.
“On average, animals lose about 25 kilograms in transit. This is avoidable loss of value that we must eliminate,” the minister added.
The proposed upgrade will include structured animal pens, quarantine and inspection units, loading bays, administrative offices, banking services and security infrastructure, alongside a regulated system for tracking and registering livestock transactions.
Kano State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, welcomed the initiative, describing it as transformative and aligned with the state’s agricultural modernisation agenda.
“This reform will significantly improve revenue generation, trade efficiency and livestock management,” he said, adding that the state government is committed to partnering with the Federal Government on the project.
The minister also visited feedlots, the Wudil Milk Collection Centre and the Samal Integrated Farm, where discussions focused on strengthening dairy production and integrating value chains.
Officials say the initiative is part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector, boost exports and enhance food security through improved infrastructure and regulation.
