In a bold move to quell the persistent farmers-herders clashes that have plagued Nigeria for decades, President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned the establishment of a new Ministry of Livestock Development.

This announcement came on the heels of the inauguration of the Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee at the State House in Abuja.

This committee, tasked with devising sector-specific strategies, aims to bring an end to the violent conflicts that have devastated rural communities and hampered agricultural productivity. The genesis of this decision lies in a comprehensive report submitted by the National Livestock Reforms Committee on September 14, 2023, which recommended the creation of a “Ministry of Livestock Resources” to spearhead these efforts.

Former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, shared the details of this landmark initiative with State House Correspondents following his audience with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa. The report encapsulated 21 strategic recommendations designed to fortify the Federal Government’s response to the endemic violence.

Central to these recommendations is a call for a sweeping reform agenda focused on conflict mitigation and sustainable resource management. The proposed solutions advocate for the establishment and revitalization of grazing reserves, a concept backed by numerous experts and stakeholders.

“This agenda should include the establishment and resuscitation of grazing reserves as suggested by many experts and well-meaning Nigerians and other methods of land utilization,” the report reads. “Create the Ministry of Livestock Resources in line with practice in many other West African countries. In the alternative, Federal and State Governments should expand the scope of existing Departments of Livestock Production to address the broader needs of the industry.”

Ganduje underscored the multifaceted nature of the herder issue, categorizing them into four distinct groups: settled herders, nomadic herdsmen within Nigeria, herders from neighboring West African nations, and those integrated into local ethnic tribes. Addressing these diverse groups, he noted, is crucial for any lasting solution.

The former governor lamented the livestock sector’s stagnation, which has rendered Nigeria dependent on costly imports for dairy, meat, and other livestock products, thereby straining the nation’s foreign reserves. Moreover, the continuous clashes have resulted in tragic loss of lives and disrupted livelihoods, further fracturing the social fabric of the country.

“The report stems from the urgent need to reform and develop the livestock industry and to provide solutions to the age-long conflicts between herders and farmers in Nigeria,” Ganduje remarked. “But to achieve these goals, a robust institutional framework is indispensable. We recommended the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock and subsequent agencies to ensure the effective implementation of various recommendations.”

The committee also highlighted potential funding avenues, suggesting a blend of international assistance, private sector investment, and government support to underpin the ministry’s initiatives. This multifaceted approach aims to not only resolve conflicts but also to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into a powerhouse of productivity and peace.