Why Shinge Market Deserves More Attention is not just a rhetorical statement, it is a clarion call to spotlight one of Northern Nigeria’s most economically active but critically overlooked livestock trading hubs. Nestled just three kilometers from Lafia city center in Nasarawa State, the Shinge Cattle Market stands as a vibrant testament to the region’s agricultural strength, commercial activity, and rural enterprise. Every Thursday and Sunday, this market draws in droves of herders, traders, buyers, and transporters from across the North-Central zone and beyond. Yet, despite its massive contribution to the local economy and food supply chain, Shinge Market has not received the infrastructural development, policy support, and media recognition it truly deserves.
The market’s location in Shinge, a suburb of Lafia, gives it a strategic edge. With access to major roads linking Nasarawa to Plateau, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory, the market has grown into a livestock hub supplying cattle, goats, sheep, and rams to meat dealers in central and southern Nigeria. On peak market days, over sixty truckloads of animals are traded, with transactions running into millions of naira. But this massive economic activity takes place on poorly maintained grounds, with inadequate sanitary facilities, substandard access roads, and minimal veterinary infrastructure. The lack of government presence, both in regulation and support, puts the sustainability of this vital market at risk.
Shinge Market plays a pivotal role in livelihood generation. For thousands of people, including pastoralists, butchers, animal feed sellers, veterinary drug vendors, transporters, loaders, and food vendors, the market is not just a place of business, but a means of survival. Young people in the area often find work as laborers and middlemen in the livestock chain, which helps reduce rural unemployment and contributes to economic stability. Women are also not left out; many engage in food sales, fodder gathering, and small-scale trading that provide household income and financial independence. However, the potential of this ecosystem remains largely untapped due to the absence of deliberate investment.
Animal health is a significant concern that underscores why Shinge Market deserves more attention. A 2018 veterinary study conducted at the market found that more than 56% of cattle were infested with ticks, with over 70% of the infested animals testing positive for dangerous blood parasites like Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale. These tick-borne diseases affect meat quality, reduce the lifespan of livestock, and in some cases, lead to sudden death of animals, causing massive losses to traders. Despite this, the market lacks standard veterinary clinics or dip tanks that could serve as first-line disease prevention measures. Government and non-governmental organizations need to step in with livestock health interventions to protect both the animals and the economy they support.
Another critical area needing urgent attention is infrastructure. Shinge Market is accessed primarily through a road that becomes virtually impassable during the rainy season. The lack of drainage systems means the road and surrounding areas flood easily, causing delays, accidents, and in some cases, livestock deaths during transport. This challenge not only increases transportation costs but also discourages traders from bringing in their animals. The state government has initiated some road rehabilitation projects, but more targeted interventions focused on market access roads, waste disposal, and structural upgrades are necessary to make Shinge a model livestock market.
The environmental implications of operating such a high-volume market with little to no regulation are profound. Waste from animal droppings, blood, and abandoned carcasses poses serious public health risks, especially in the absence of proper waste management systems. Outbreaks of zoonotic diseases like anthrax, brucellosis, and salmonellosis can spread quickly in such unregulated conditions. There is also the risk of groundwater contamination from animal waste runoff. These are public health red flags that demand urgent policy attention.
Economic diversification remains one of Nigeria’s primary development goals, especially in the wake of fluctuating oil prices. Livestock markets like Shinge represent a viable pathway to economic inclusion and agricultural expansion. With the right investment in value chains, such as meat processing, leather production, and animal feed manufacturing, Shinge Market can transform from a traditional trade center into an agribusiness powerhouse. This would not only create jobs but also increase internally generated revenue for Nasarawa State.
Security is another dimension that highlights the importance of strengthening the Shinge Market. Livestock theft and inter-communal clashes sometimes threaten the smooth running of the market. There is a need for better policing, surveillance infrastructure, and community engagement initiatives to promote peaceful coexistence among the market’s diverse participants. Security presence would also boost investor confidence and ensure a stable business environment.
Moreover, digitizing livestock trading could modernize the operations of Shinge Market. Introducing e-payment systems, digital livestock tracking, and price information platforms would help reduce fraud, standardize transactions, and attract younger, tech-savvy entrepreneurs to the sector. Training programs in animal health, business management, and trade documentation could further professionalize the sector and prepare it for regional and international trade opportunities.
In terms of public awareness, little is being done to promote the market’s importance. Unlike larger urban markets in Kano or Kaduna that frequently enjoy media attention and government visits, Shinge remains largely unknown outside Nasarawa State. It is time for the government, local authorities, NGOs, and media houses to shine a spotlight on Shinge and explore ways of integrating it into national development plans.
In conclusion, Shinge Market deserves more attention not only because of its size and economic value but because of its untapped potential. With strategic investment in infrastructure, animal health, digitization, and security, this market can be elevated into a modern agribusiness model for rural development across Nigeria. The people of Shinge, and indeed Nasarawa State, are ready. What remains is the will to act.
