Aimed at resolving the endless conflicts between herders and farmers, President Bola Tinubu has established a new Ministry of Livestock Development.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms at the Presidential Villa.
“The solution is here. Many of you have the experience and desire to see Nigeria prosper.” President Tinubu said.
“To enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming, we have seen the solution and opportunity for this adversity that has plagued us over the years and I believe the prosperity is here in our hands.”
The creation of this ministry is part of the Renewed Hope livestock reform initiative, which aims to comprehensively address the ongoing farmers-herders crisis.
It also follows the establishment of a presidential committee ten months ago to deal with the herders-farmers conflicts and support the livestock and dairy industries.
The committee, chaired by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, had made several recommendations, including the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Resources.
Again, increasing pressure from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), which had been advocating for a ministry to oversee livestock matters, was one of the influences leading to the development.
Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, President of MACBAN, had previously called for the establishment of such a ministry, arguing that the entire livestock value chain requires a holistic approach.
“Instead of focusing solely on ranching through legislative measures, a full-fledged ministry could handle all aspects related to livestock, from production and processing to marketing, transportation, and security,” Ngelzarma stated last month.
During the announcement, President Tinubu noted that Nigeria can better ensure the quality and safety of livestock products, reduce food waste, and maintain a stable supply chain with this ministry.
The Federal Government will support the acquisition of lands to promote peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farmers, while the committee on livestock reforms will be chaired by President Tinubu, with former INEC chairman Attahiru Jega as the deputy chairman.
The committee is tasked with developing recommendations to facilitate harmony between herders and farmers and to enhance the security and economic well-being of the nation.
With the new ministry, the Nigerian government seeks to resolve the long-standing conflicts over land, pasture, and water between herders and farmers.
Previous measures, such as the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) scheme, have not been successful. The conflict has led to loss of lives, with recent violence in Plateau State highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions.
While the violence is often framed as an ethno-religious issue, factors like climate change and agricultural expansion also play key roles.
