In a significant move aimed at advancing the livestock sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative. The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Friday.
Professor Jega, a respected academic and governance expert, will lead the initiative to implement meaningful reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector, a critical area of the nation’s development agenda. The appointment of Jega follows his pivotal role as co-chair of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, which proposed several reforms, including the establishment of the Livestock Ministry, now fully operational with an appointed minister.
At 68, Jega brings a wealth of experience to the role. His distinguished career includes serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and as the INEC chairman from 2010 to 2015. His tenure at INEC was marked by historic reforms, such as the introduction of biometric voter registration and the card reader system, which transformed Nigeria’s electoral process.
Jega’s new position underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to transforming the livestock sector, ensuring the effective implementation of the ongoing reforms, and supporting the sector’s long-term sustainability.