Nigeria’s Federal Government has dismissed media reports suggesting that open grazing has been banned nationwide, insisting that no such policy has been announced.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the administration is instead implementing a phased and well-structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems.
He explained that Nigeria currently has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares, adding that the Federal Government is collaborating with state governments to rehabilitate and equip the reserves to make them fully functional for pastoralists and livestock operators.
Mukhtar said the transition plan does not outlaw open grazing abruptly but aims to create viable alternatives that enhance productivity, reduce farmer–herder conflicts, and build a sustainable livestock economy.
“Pastoralists, like every other economic group, require a structured business environment. The grazing reserves provided by law are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities. Our responsibility is to upgrade these reserves and facilitate their proper utilisation,” he said.
The Minister urged Nigerians to disregard misleading reports and rely on official government communication channels for accurate policy information.
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