Senate Passes Controversial Bill to Establish National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission

The Nigerian Senate witnessed a heated debate on Wednesday as senators clashed over the bill to establish a National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission, aimed at regulating, managing, preserving, and controlling ranches across the country.

Despite the contentious discussions, the bill, tagged SB. 466, was approved for a second reading and referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Agriculture, and Legal Affairs, with a four-week deadline for further review.

Sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue North-West), the bill seeks to address the challenges in the cattle ranching industry by creating a dedicated commission. During his presentation, Zam underscored the importance of overseeing and protecting ranches nationwide, citing the need for structured management and regulation.

“The management, preservation, and control of ranches throughout Nigeria is the purpose of the proposed National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission,” Zam stated, emphasizing the necessity of such a body to ensure the sustainability and organization of the industry.

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However, the bill faced strong opposition from northern senators, particularly Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) and Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central), both former governors. They argued that cattle rearing and ranching are predominantly northern activities and questioned the bill’s relevance to the entire nation. Goje pointed out that traditional cattle routes start in the far north and end in Lokoja, suggesting that the bill might not benefit southern regions.

“Cattle routes begin from the far north and finish in Lokoja because the route does not extend to the South,” Goje asserted, emphasizing regional differences in ranching practices.

Senator Hussein Babangida Uba (Jigawa North-West) also expressed concerns, urging the Senate to exercise caution given the bill’s controversial nature and historical context.

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Despite the opposition, other senators supported the bill, highlighting its potential to address the ongoing farmers’ and herders’ crisis. They argued that the proposed commission could provide a framework for resolving conflicts and improving the ranching industry’s overall management.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote, and it passed, moving it one step closer to becoming law. The bill’s approval marks a significant development in the legislative efforts to regulate the animal husbandry sector, though it remains to be seen how the proposed commission will address the diverse concerns raised during the debate.