President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Committee dedicated to the reform of the livestock industry and finding long-term solutions to the recurring clashes between herders and farmers in Nigeria.
This announcement came following the submission of a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria, convened by Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The newly established Committee will work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and propose recommendations aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers while ensuring the security and economic well-being of all Nigerians.
The President emphasized the government’s readiness to cover the cost of acquiring land for these reforms and highlighted the potential benefits, including job opportunities for veterinary doctors, educational opportunities for herders and their children, medical facilities, and the development of a Nigerian leather industry.
The President commended Dr. Ganduje for assembling experts to find solutions to the persistent issues between pastoralists and farmers and praised the committee members for their diligent work in examining complex issues related to livestock management, land use, and security.
The President acknowledged that the conflict between herders and farmers is a homegrown problem and stressed the importance of leadership in finding immediate solutions. He expressed optimism that the committee’s report contains several recommendations to address the challenges effectively.
Dr. Ganduje, in his remarks, emphasized that the report contains key reforms and development options required for the sustainable development of the livestock sector. He highlighted the potential positive impacts, including enhanced productivity, improved livelihoods, environmental conservation, conflict resolution, and reduced importation costs for animal products like milk and beef.
The establishment of this committee represents a significant step toward addressing a long-standing issue in Nigeria and finding lasting solutions to herder-farmer clashes.
