President says upgraded ranching systems, stronger security, and expanded social investments will turn conflict zones into economic hubs.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that the Federal Government is embarking on a major overhaul of Nigeria’s livestock sector in an effort to reduce long-standing clashes between farmers and herders across the country.
The President’s plan was disclosed on Sunday in a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
For years, authorities have linked violent incidents in many agricultural communities to disputes over land, grazing routes, and water resources. These conflicts have become a persistent driver of insecurity in several regions.
Speaking on behalf of the President at the memorial of former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu in Lokoja, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the new initiative will reposition livestock farming as a structured, productive industry capable of generating jobs, strengthening food security, and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu said the programme will prioritise large-scale ranching schemes, improved animal husbandry practices, and deeper integration of the livestock value chain into the national economy, converting areas historically affected by clashes into centres of economic activity.
“We are launching a comprehensive initiative to modernise the livestock industry. This includes the creation of large-scale ranching schemes, improved animal husbandry, and the integration of the livestock value chain into our national economy.
Our goal is to transform this critical sector from a source of tension into a bastion of prosperity, creating jobs, ensuring food security, and fostering lasting peace between our farming and herding communities,” the President stated.
More Insights from the Presidency
The President also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen national security. According to him, the Federal Government is expanding the capacity of the armed forces and intelligence agencies while advancing moves to establish State Police to deliver more community-focused security responses.
Tinubu added that several social investment initiatives are being scaled up to cushion vulnerable citizens, fund small and medium enterprises, and prepare young Nigerians with skills needed in a competitive global environment.
He further noted that the government is modernising critical national infrastructure including roads, rail lines, and power systems to better connect markets, drive industrial expansion, and stimulate economic development.
The President also pointed to renewed diplomatic engagement aimed at countering false narratives abroad about Nigeria’s religious harmony and inter-communal relations.
Context: Why the Reforms Matter
Farmer–herder conflicts, especially in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, have intensified over the years due to competition for land and pasture. These clashes have led to widespread casualties, forced displacement, and significant economic losses.
Climate pressures such as drought and desertification in northern Nigeria have pushed pastoralists southward, deepening competition with settled farming communities and further straining food production.
Previous government interventions include the 2019 RUGA initiative, which was later withdrawn following public criticism tied to political and religious concerns.
In September 2024, the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of Livestock Reforms recommended a hybrid approach that combines ranching with regulated open grazing as the most practical solution.
Earlier this year, the Federal Government announced a partnership with Brazilian firm JBJ Brazil to develop a 100,000-hectare cattle ranch in Niger State, capable of accommodating 100,000 bulls. The Niger State Government also pledged 1.2 million hectares for expanded livestock development, citing its favourable climate and extensive water resources as key advantages for transforming conflict-prone regions into productive ranching hubs.
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