President Bola Tinubu has announced the formation of a Ministry of Livestock Development, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria.
Entrepreneurng reports that this announcement was made during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms at the Presidential Villa.
The committee, led by former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, is tasked with developing strategies to promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers, while ensuring the security and economic prosperity of all Nigerians.
Tinubu’s decision to establish the ministry follows the creation of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, which was set up 10 months ago to address the herders and farmers’ clashes and to strengthen the livestock and dairy sectors.
This committee was formed in response to a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria.
Chaired by Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, the committee presented 21 recommendations to President Tinubu, including the creation of a Ministry of Livestock Resources.
The new ministry will work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to develop enduring solutions to the longstanding farmer-herder crisis.
The conflict, driven by competition for farmland and pasture, has been a significant issue, especially in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Environmental changes such as drought and desertification have forced pastoralists to move southward, leading to clashes with settled farmers.
These conflicts have caused substantial casualties, displaced many people, and undermined food security.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, at least 2,600 deaths were recorded in 2021 in Nigeria’s north-central and northwest regions, surpassing civilian fatalities from Boko Haram insurgencies.
The previous government under President Buhari had attempted to address the issue with the RUGA initiative, which was ultimately withdrawn due to public opposition and allegations of ulterior motives.
The new Ministry of Livestock Development is expected to work towards creating sustainable solutions to these conflicts, promoting the well-being of all Nigerians affected by the ongoing disputes between herders and farmers.
