Abuja – President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving recurring clashes between herders and farmers by establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock. Addressing herder associations across Nigeria, the President urged them to take advantage of the newly created ministry — to abandon open grazing practices and surrender illegal weapons, as part of a broader push for peace and security in rural communities.
A Ministry for Herders, Farmers and National Stability
The Ministry of Livestock was created to tackle long-standing tensions between nomadic herders and agrarian communities — a source of frequent violent clashes, property destruction, livestock loss, and human casualties. According to the President, the Ministry offers a legitimate, structured channel for herders to access grazing reserves, veterinary services, conflict resolution mechanisms, and the support of the federal government.
In his remarks, President Tinubu emphasized that the Ministry is more than an administrative body: “It is our solution to ensuring sustainable livestock farming, protecting the rights of herders and farmers, and safeguarding the lives and properties of all Nigerians.” He called on all recognized herder associations to formally register with the Ministry, to refrain from open grazing — which often contributes to tension and conflict — and to voluntarily surrender any illegal weapons used for self-protection or grazing escort.
Why the Call Matters: Context of Herders–Farmers Crisis
Nigeria has witnessed a rise in violent confrontations between herders and farming communities over the past decades. The root causes of these conflicts include competition over land and water resources, destruction of farmlands by stray cattle, unregulated grazing practices, and insecurity — often exacerbated by criminal elements exploiting existing tensions.
The frequent incidents have led to loss of lives, destruction of farmlands, disruption of food production, and socio-economic instability in many rural areas. The government’s creation of a dedicated ministry reflects recognition that ad-hoc interventions have failed to produce lasting peace.
By establishing the Ministry of Livestock, the administration aims to create institutional frameworks for regulated grazing, peaceful co-existence, and conflict resolution — offering incentives to herders to adopt safer, sustainable practices under legal oversight.
What the President Envisions: From Open Grazing to Regulated Livestock Farming
Under the scheme proposed by the government:
- Herders will be encouraged — through the ministry — to use designated grazing reserves or ranches rather than open-field, free-range grazing across farmlands and crop-producing areas.
- The Ministry will coordinate with state and local governments to map grazing routes, monitor livestock movement, and ensure environmental protection.
- Veterinary and livestock-management services will be made available to registered herders, improving animal health, productivity, and reducing indiscriminate roaming.
- Illegal arms — often carried for “self-defence” or protection of herds during migration — will be surrendered, and security support through legitimate channels will be provided when required.
- Herders will be formally registered, giving them legal recognition and making them stakeholders in national policies regarding agriculture, land use, and rural development.
Through these measures, the government hopes to transform livestock farming from a source of conflict into a structured, regulated sector that contributes to national food security and rural prosperity.
Challenges Ahead: Implementation, Trust and Oversight
Despite the promise of the initiative, several hurdles stand between policy and effective implementation:
- Registration and compliance: Getting herder groups to trust the government enough to register, give up open grazing, and surrender arms may face resistance — especially among those accustomed to traditional roaming lifestyles.
- Availability of grazing reserves or ranches: For open grazing to end, the government must provide viable alternatives — managed ranches or designated grazing routes — which requires land allocation, infrastructure, and clear planning.
- Enforcement and monitoring: The success of the policy hinges on the government’s capacity to monitor compliance, prevent illegal grazing, and manage conflicts impartially. Weak oversight could undermine the initiative.
- Coordination with States and Local Communities: Land tenure, local customs, and state-level politics vary significantly — collaboration between federal, state and local authorities, as well as community leaders, will be crucial.
- Security and arms control: Surrendering illegal weapons must be matched by real security guarantees for herders during migration and grazing — otherwise, many may be reluctant to disarm.
What This Could Mean for Nigeria’s Rural Economy and Security
If successfully implemented, the creation of the Ministry of Livestock and the push to end open grazing could yield multiple long-term benefits:
- Reduced Herders–Farmers Conflicts: With regulated grazing and designated grazing reserves, clashes over farmland destruction could decrease, reducing loss of life and property.
- Improved Livestock Productivity: Better veterinary care, regulated movement, and improved breeding practices could lead to healthier herds and more sustainable livestock farming.
- Enhanced Food Security: With a more stable agricultural sector, both crop farming and livestock production could complement each other, improving food supply and reducing losses.
- Economic Opportunities: Formalization of herding could open access to credit, markets, and government support — raising income levels for rural herders and reducing poverty-driven migration or crime.
- Social Stability and Cohesion: Addressing one major source of communal violence could foster peace, rebuild trust between herders and farming communities, and strengthen national unity.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s directive to herder associations to embrace the newly formed Ministry of Livestock, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons marks an ambitious effort to tackle one of Nigeria’s most persistent sources of rural conflict. The policy offers a structured pathway toward regulated livestock farming, community security, and sustainable agriculture.
However, its success will depend largely on effective implementation, genuine trust-building, adequate resources, and inclusive engagement of herders, farmers, and local communities. If managed well, it could transform Nigeria’s rural landscape — reducing violence, boosting livelihoods, and promoting national food security. If not, it risks becoming another policy initiative that fails to address deeply rooted structural issues.
As the government moves forward, Nigerians across the country will be watching closely — hoping that this initiative brings real change, and a lasting peace for both herders and farmers.
