President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative.
The announcement, made on Friday, underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing sustainable reforms in the livestock sector, a crucial component of Nigeria’s agricultural economy. Jega’s appointment is expected to drive meaningful progress in livestock development, address long-standing challenges in the sector, and contribute to national economic growth.
Before his appointment, Jega co-chaired the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee alongside President Tinubu. The committee, tasked with developing sustainable solutions for the livestock industry, put forward a series of recommendations, including the establishment of a Ministry of Livestock Development to oversee policy implementation and sectoral reforms.
The newly created Livestock Ministry now has a dedicated minister, and Jega’s role as special adviser will focus on ensuring the successful implementation of the committee’s proposals. His expertise in governance and policy implementation is expected to help shape and streamline the country’s livestock industry, which has long suffered from issues such as farmer-herder conflicts, outdated ranching systems, and inadequate infrastructure.
Professor Attahiru Jega, 68, is a respected academic, administrator, and electoral reform advocate. He previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, where he played a significant role in improving higher education administration.
Jega gained national and international recognition when he was appointed INEC Chairman in 2010, a position he held until 2015. Under his leadership, Nigeria witnessed major electoral reforms, including the introduction of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and the Card Reader system, which significantly improved the credibility of the electoral process. He was widely praised for overseeing the 2015 general elections, which marked the first peaceful transition of power from one political party to another in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Beyond his work in electoral governance, Jega has been actively involved in global democratic and governance initiatives. He is a member of the International Elections Advisory Council and currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education in Kano State.
With his vast experience in governance and administration, Jega’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to ensure continuity and effective implementation of livestock reforms initiated by the presidential committee. His role will involve coordinating stakeholders, advising on policy direction, and ensuring that reforms lead to long-term economic benefits for Nigeria’s livestock industry.
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As the government seeks to modernize animal husbandry practices, reduce conflicts between farmers and herders, and improve productivity in the sector, Jega’s expertise will be instrumental in achieving these goals.
His appointment reflects President Tinubu’s broader strategy of appointing experienced technocrats to drive key national development initiatives.
