President Bola Tinubu’s government has announced the commencement of a nationwide rehabilitation of 417 grazing reserves, identifying open grazing as a major cause of Nigeria’s recurring farmer-herder clashes.

The plan is a key component of a new livestock transformation agenda aimed at modernising the sector and reducing insecurity.

Naija News reports that the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known at the maiden meeting of the National Council on Livestock Development (NCLD), held on Monday, November 24, at the Government House Banquet Hall in Yola, Adamawa State...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.

He described the gathering as a historic shift in Nigeria’s livestock future and a turning point in efforts to build a peaceful, productive, and sustainable system.

‘The Era of Open Grazing Is Over’

Maiha said the government’s new approach is built around transitioning Nigeria away from open grazing, which he described as outdated and conflict-prone.

According to him, the rehabilitation of grazing reserves into fully equipped Renewed Hope Livestock Villages offers the only long-term solution to the farmer–herder crisis.

“The era of open grazing is unsustainable and a source of persistent conflict. Rehabilitating the 417 grazing reserves into modern Renewed Hope Livestock Villages is the only panacea for the farmer–herder conflict,” he said.

He explained that each rehabilitated reserve would operate as an economic hub with improved pastures, veterinary services, water infrastructure, schools, clinics, dairy and beef processing facilities, as well as renewable energy generated from biogas systems.

He added that state governments would be required to allocate land for pastoralists willing to embrace modern ranching, noting that ranching guarantees security, stability, and higher productivity.

The minister highlighted significant progress made under the one-year-old Ministry of Livestock Development, guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS).

He explained that the strategy seeks to expand the livestock industry from its current value of $32 billion to $74 billion within five years by improving genetics, increasing productivity, and strengthening value-chain investments.

Maiha noted that the country recently registered eight new pasture species for the first time in nearly five decades. He also announced the development of a national genetic resources plan and a major expansion of vaccine production capacity at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, increasing annual output from 120 million to 850 million doses.

He further stated that the establishment of the Wase Livestock Village has become a model for rehabilitating national grazing reserves, while partnerships with global dairy giants such as Nestlé, Arla Foods, Danone, Promasidor, and FrieslandCampina WAMCO have been instrumental in pushing the country toward doubling annual milk production from 700,000 to 1.4 million metric tons. He said several states are already benefiting from solar-powered boreholes, cattle dips, veterinary clinics, slaughter slabs, and milk collection centres under the L-PRES project.

According to Maiha, all states must embrace a unified national approach to livestock reforms or risk undermining progress. “The challenges of the livestock sector transcend state boundaries. We must implement NL-GAS uniformly,” he said.

National Assembly Backs Reforms

The Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Tasir Olawale Raji, in his goodwill message, declared that the legislature is fully aligned with the federal government’s reform agenda.

He warned that Nigeria’s livestock production remains far below domestic needs, forcing the country into heavy import dependence.

Raji said Nigeria currently imports 65 per cent of the milk consumed locally, noting that the country’s per capita consumption of 8.7 litres of milk, 9kg of meat, and 45 eggs per year falls significantly below global averages.

He added that the National Assembly is working on new legal frameworks to modernise production systems, enhance value addition, and attract more private-sector investment.

Raji urged stakeholders to offer practical and implementable recommendations that would unlock the sector’s full economic potential, expressing confidence that the NCLD would play a key role in accelerating the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, described the maiden council meeting as a defining moment in Nigeria’s livestock transformation journey. She said the newly inaugurated NCLD would act as the apex national policy and coordination body for guiding livestock development across the country.

According to her, the livestock sector remains a central pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said the council will strengthen partnerships, harmonise policies, and drive innovation toward building a modern and competitive livestock economy.

Akujobi also commended development partners, particularly Propcom, for their contributions, saying their support would help unlock wealth creation, improve livelihoods, and build a resilient livestock industry.