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As part of a broader strategy to end the recurring clashes between farmers and herders, the Nigerian government has officially outlawed open grazing nationwide.
Minister of Livestock Development Alhaji Mukhtar Maiha announced this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the maiden National Council on Livestock Development held in Yola, Adamawa State.
He noted that the long-running conflict has inflicted heavy human and economic losses, leaving many communities devastated.
According to Maiha, the violence has displaced countless families and destroyed farmlands and livestock.
The livestock development minister further explained that the practice of open grazing has now been classified as a capital offense.
While expressing the belief that structured ranching systems offer better safety and higher productivity, he urged herders to transition fully to ranching.
“Ranching will not only prevent conflicts but also improve the quality and weight of cattle for better business,” Maiha noted.
Adamawa State Deputy Governor Professor Kaleptawa Farauta, who declared the council open, said Adamawa remains one of the country’s strongest livestock zones, making it a fitting location for the event.
The newly established National Council on Livestock Development brings together directors of livestock from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The council is expected to drive reforms, oversee the implementation of policies, and strengthen the modernization of Nigeria’s livestock sector.