By Editor
Speaker series in Abuja to connect Nigerian agribusinesses and policymakers with American expertise in agricultural technology, trade, and livestock development.
ABUJA, Nigeria — The U.S. Mission to Nigeria hosted a speaker program August 10-13, 2026, as part of the Freedom 250 initiative.
The event had U.S. Speaker Dr. Gregg BeVier, an expert in livestock development, speaking to Nigerian agribusiness leaders and government officials in the programme that underscores the United States’ priority of increasing two-way trade and investment opportunities between the United States and Nigeria.
The initiative featured three complementary events: In Abuja, Dr. BeVier spoke at the All-Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service and engaged government officials from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Livestock Reforms and Implementation Committee to discuss how American private sector agricultural partnerships can drive livestock development.
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Dr. BeVier connected with audiences across the 30 American Spaces in Nigeria to discuss opportunities for youth to engage in livestock productivity improvements.He also joined several other U.S. animal husbandry companies at the U.S.-Nigeria Livestock and Feed Connect event, a curated business-to-business event bringing American and Nigerian livestock businesses together to discuss potential partnerships.
Advancing Shared Prosperity
The program was designed to advance U.S. prosperity by supporting a more favorable business climate in Nigeria, with a focus on the agricultural sector as part of the flagship Commercial and Investment Partnership.
It is also designed to build on longstanding exchange initiatives, including the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and will create new networks for future engagement, including potential Fulbright and IVLP opportunities focused on agricultural finance and trade.
About U.S. Expert Dr. Gregg BeVier, DVM, MS, MBA
Dr. BeVier has over 37 years of experience as a business executive. He is the COO of ST Genetics and the CEO of Fast Genetics. Most recently he managed the livestock portfolio at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a Senior Program Officer. Prior to the foundation he held various positions including the President of PIC, the Sr. VP of Livestock Operations for Premium Standard Farms and the Head of the Production Animal Global Enterprise for Merial. Dr. BeVier holds a BS in Agriculture Science, a MS in Animal Science, a DVM, and an MBA, all from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois. In 2004 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. He has been a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Medicine Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
