‘Equestrian Can Contribute $500m Yearly to Nigeria’s GDP’

Olawale Ajimotokan  in Abuja

The Nigeria Equestrian Federation (NEF) has declared the equine industry as capable of contributing a minimum of $500million annually to the country’s GDP if the sport can be properly harnessed.

The founder/coordinator NEF Dr Obiorah Anthony, stated this yesterday at a press briefing to unveil the federation’s upcoming events and programmes.

He described the equine industry as a potential goldmine given the country’s huge population of over 200,000 horses and its entrenched horse culture.

Anthony also lamented that the country is currently without a verifiable horse impact statistics which explains why the federation is out to address the bottlenecks that have impeded Nigeria from competing favourably with its counterparts across the globe.

“Let me give us a little insight into the global industry statistics to buttress the aptness for setting up this federation. The global equine industry has economic worth $300 billion and 1.6 million full time jobs. The horse industry contributes $122 billion annually to the US economy. Economic value of the equestrian industry in the UK comes in at £4.7 billion. In South Africa, the horseracing industry contributes $226 million annually to its GDP,” Anthony noted.

The equestrian federation was founded on December 9, 2022 following a communique issued after the maiden edition of the Nigerian Equestrian Festival same year.

Anthony said NEF is presently working on a national equestrian centre where anybody who has interest can work and show interest while it is talking with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports on how to partner its programmes.

The federation sought government support to realise the potential of equestrian sports by investing in infrastructure such as training facilities, stables, riding arenas, cross-country courses, policy and regulatory framework.

Some of its forthcoming programmes include the NEF Equestrian Summer Camp and Clinic for kids and teens billed for August 18- 20, 2023, the NEF Endurance Riding Championship on October 21, 2023and a Hall of Fame and Charity Ball on December 9, 2023.