The Federal Government says it is working with relevant stakeholders to fast-track the relocation of cattle roaming the Abuja city centre to designated grazing reserves.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2025 Media Retreat in Kaduna with the theme “Driving Livestock Growth through Strategic Communication”.
Maiha said the ministry would in the coming weeks unveil a national peace campaign aimed at ending farmer-herder conflicts across the country.
“In a few weeks, the ministry will embark on a national peace campaign to achieve sustainable peace between farmers and herders, organised groups, and communities across the country.
“On Friday, we had a robust engagement with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of our moves to relocate animals roaming the city centre in Abuja to grazing reserves.
The minister stressed the need for strong commitment from state governments to ensure comprehensive and lasting peace, noting that peace in rural communities was crucial for food security, job creation, and national stability.
Maiha said the livestock sector remained a key driver of wealth creation, job opportunities, food security, and rural stability.
According to him, the ministry’s priority over the next five years is to provide the sector with the right policies, programmes, projects, and activities.
Speaking on the retreat, Maiha said communication was central to advancing the livestock sector.
“Following this retreat, we expect you to leverage your skills to further amplify the narrative of the livestock sector.
“We appreciate the influence of your profession and hope you will continue to use your pen strategically and positively in reporting on the sector.
“Your reporting has been instrumental in shaping public understanding of our policies and influencing the responses of farmers, herders, investors, and other stakeholders,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chinyere Akujobi, said the retreat underscored the media’s role in shaping public understanding of government initiatives.
Akujobi, represented by Victor Egbon, Director of Ruminants and Monogastric Development said effective communication was about fostering trust, shaping perceptions, and inspiring meaningful action.
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