President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), as Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform.
President Tinubu announced the appointment on Friday via a statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the President hopes to drive meaningful progress in the livestock sector and further strengthen national development efforts.
In July 2024, Tinubu created a new ministry called the Ministry of Livestock Development.
This followed a recommendation by the National Livestock Reforms Committee the Ministry of Livestock Resources is to, among other deliverables, reduce the decades-long gory conflict between farmers and nomadic cattle herders nationwide.
Jega, former vice chancellor of Bayero University, co-chaired the Presidential Livestock Committee with President Tinubu.
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The committee delivered comprehensive recommendations that underscored sustainable livestock reforms. One recommendation was the creation of the Livestock Ministry, which now has a minister.
Jega, 68, is a member of the International Elections Advisory Council and the pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education in Kano State.
He served as the chairman of INEC between 2010 and 2015.
His appointment as special adviser to the President will reinforce the gains of the presidential committee and ensure the continued momentum of the reforms already in motion.
