A recent study published in PLOS Climate titled “Status and opportunities for improvement in greenhouse gas emission inventories for the cattle production in Latin America and the Caribbean region: A perspective” reveals how countries in the LAC region are struggling to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cattle accurately.
The findings offer a cautionary tale—and a roadmap—for Nigeria.
A National Challenge Beneath the Herds
Cattle ranching is deeply woven into Nigeria’s agricultural fabric. From nomadic Fulani herders in the north to commercial ranches in the south, livestock sustains rural economies and contributes to national food security. But it also emits large amounts of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O)—potent greenhouse gases that remain largely unaccounted for in Nigeria’s climate reports.
Despite its significance, Nigeria’s GHG inventory system still relies on Tier 1 IPCC methods, which use global default values and fail to reflect the country’s diverse production systems. This creates a data vacuum that undermines climate policy and misrepresents Nigeria’s accurate emissions profile.
A System Built on Assumptions
Checks by TheDigger Intelligence Unit reveal that Nigeria’s inventory methods lack country-specific data on cattle feed, manure management, and grazing practices.
According to Dr Adebayo Oladipo, a climate scientist at the University of Ibadan, “We’re essentially guessing. Without localised emission factors, our reports are speculative at best.”
This lack of precision means Nigeria may be underreporting livestock emissions, which could affect its credibility in international climate negotiations and limit access to carbon finance.
Barriers to Reform
It’s been identified that efforts to improve livestock emissions tracking face four major obstacles: Outdated data, low technical capacity, fragmented governance and limited funding.
For instance, the last comprehensive livestock census in Nigeria was conducted over a decade ago. Findings have also revealed that only a few institutions have the expertise to implement Tier 2 or Tier 3 methodologies, just as it’s been discovered that ministries of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock Research operate in silos.
And to cap it all, budget allocations for climate-smart agriculture and emissions monitoring remain minimal.
In the future, experts recommend several steps to close the gap, such as developing Nigeria-specific emission factors where research is tailored explicitly towards local cattle breeds, diets, and manure practices.
In addition to this, Digitise Livestock Tracking utilises mobile and satellite tools to monitor herd movements and feeding patterns. The government is also expected to build capacity in IPCC-compliant methods across federal and state agencies while leveraging on regional networks to collaborate with ECOWAS, AUDA-NEPAD, and the Global Research Alliance for technical support.
Experts also identify policy disconnect as Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) mention agriculture but lack specific targets for cattle emissions. The National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), aimed at modernising ranching and reducing conflict, could serve as a platform for climate reform—if emissions tracking is integrated.
Mrs Ifeoma Nwankwo, a policy advisor at the Federal Ministry of Environment, warns: “Without accurate inventories, we’re flying blind. We risk missing out on carbon markets and international support.”
Global Support, Local Action:
International initiatives like FAO’s Livestock Activity Data Guidance (L-ADG) and OneCGIAR’s Livestock and Climate Initiative are helping countries build better inventories. Nigeria has access to these resources—but must commit to reform.
The Stakes
Improving cattle-related GHG inventories isn’t just about climate compliance. It’s about: unlocking carbon finance and protecting ecosystems.
Future-proofing Nigeria’s livestock sector
As the world races toward net-zero, Nigeria faces a choice: lead with data—or lag in denial.