BACKGROUND

Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its development trajectory. With a population exceeding 220 million and a poverty rate that leaves over 63% of citizens classified as multidimensionally poor, the urgency of innovative grassroots interventions cannot be overstated. Youth unemployment remains above 40%, inflation hovers above 20%, and rural communities — which constitute more than 60% of the population — continue to face inadequate infrastructure, limited access to credit, and few sustainable livelihood options.

The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP) represents one of the most ambitious poverty reduction and rural transformation initiatives in Africa. Covering 8,809 wards nationwide, the program is designed to channel resources directly into local communities, creating a bottom-up framework for development. Its integrated focus on health, education, social protection, and livelihoods has been widely commended as a visionary effort to break intergenerational cycles of poverty.

Yet, despite its breadth, the program presently pays limited attention to livestock and agricultural value chains, which remain the backbone of rural economies. Agriculture contributes about 25% of Nigeria’s GDP and employs over 35% of the labor force, yet it remains undercapitalized and insufficiently diversified. Livestock, in particular, represents both a critical livelihood source for millions of households and a high-potential export sector.

AFRIEF, as an international Islamic economic development organization, believes that integrating Halal economy opportunities into RHWDP would significantly strengthen its sustainability, inclusivity, and global competitiveness. The Halal economy — spanning food, finance, trade, and certification — is valued at over USD 3 trillion globally, and Nigeria, with its large Muslim population and strategic geographic position, is well placed to become a continental leader.

This colloquium therefore aims not only to commend the Federal Government for the RHWDP initiative but also to create space for critical reflection on its design, highlight its blind spots, and propose livestock-driven Halal development models — including high-value opportunities such as ostrich farming — that can transform rural livelihoods while positioning Nigeria as a global Halal hub.