The Federal government has formally abolished open grazing nationwide, signaling a major policy shift in Nigeria’s livestock management and efforts to curb recurring farmer–herder conflicts.
Speaking in Yola, Adamawa State, at the inaugural meeting of the National Council on Livestock Development, the Minister of Livestock Development, Mallam Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said open grazing had created “unnecessary hiccups” for years, fuelling clashes, destroying farmlands and leading to avoidable loss of lives.
He declared that grazing cattle openly is now an offence across the country, urging herders to embrace ranching as a safer, modern and more profitable model.
“Ranching will not only prevent conflicts but also produce healthier and heavier cattle, which is better for business,” Maiha said.
He noted that the abolition aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s livestock innovation agenda, which positions the ministry as Nigeria’s next major revenue hub.
According to him, the sector is already recording significant gains.
“So far, the ministry has earned over $14 billion, and we are projecting about $74 billion over the next five years,” he said.
Maiha was received by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, who described Adamawa as the “home of livestock” and commended the choice of Yola for the historic council meeting.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock, Musa Mustapha, said he is optimistic that the livestock sector will soon rival and possibly surpass oil as Nigeria’s top revenue source.
He assured that the Senate would back a strong, business-focused budget for the ministry.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock, Tasir Olawale Raji, hailed the ministry’s performance and applauded the abolition of open grazing, saying it would end decades of needless clashes between farmers and herders.
“It was needless confusion all these years. This policy should have been implemented long ago,” Raji said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, praised investors who have embraced ranching, while the minister commended Adamawa livestock producers for achieving significant milestones over the past 12 years—achievements he said remain central to Nigeria’s broader livestock transformation agenda.