Concerned about the persistent clashes between farmers and herders across Nigeria, Fulani leaders under the aegis of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have called on state governors to revive and establish grazing reserves as a lasting solution to the crisis.
The plea was made during a stakeholders’ consultative forum on livestock development held in Abuja, where the herders lamented the rising hostility and insecurity surrounding open grazing, which they say continues to endanger both pastoralists and local farmers.
Spokesman of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, stressed that grazing reserves—originally developed under Nigeria’s 1965 Grazing Reserve Law—should be modernized and legally protected to accommodate pastoral communities and prevent encroachments into farmlands.
“We are not against modern ranching, but most of our members cannot afford private ranches. Reviving grazing reserves with basic infrastructure such as water, pasture, and veterinary clinics will help reduce movement and conflict,” Ngelzarma stated.
The association argued that the continuous migration of herders in search of pasture and water—worsened by climate change and urban expansion—has contributed to frequent clashes, particularly in agrarian communities in the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria.
Also speaking at the forum, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, backed the call for structured livestock settlements. He noted that some states have already allocated land for ranching and livestock transformation programs in collaboration with the Federal Government.
“We must adopt a multi-pronged approach to livestock development. Properly designated grazing areas, when managed with modern techniques, can reduce tension, enhance productivity, and improve national food security,” Governor AbdulRazaq said.
The Federal Government has revealed plans to rehabilitate over 400 grazing reserves across the country as part of efforts to implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). Pilot projects have already commenced in selected states, with support from development partners and agricultural agencies.
Despite growing support for the initiative, critics, especially from Southern Nigeria, remain wary. They argue that the grazing reserve model may infringe on land rights and rekindle debates over land ownership and federal overreach. Some have instead advocated for a transition to fully private ranching systems.
However, the Fulani leaders insist that without clear policy direction and infrastructure to support pastoralists—many of whom remain poor and uneducated—the cycle of violence will continue to disrupt communities and food systems.
They urged governors to prioritize dialogue and inclusive policy frameworks that accommodate the needs of all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
As the country grapples with rising food prices and insecurity, many believe that finding a lasting solution to the herder-farmer conflict is not only a matter of peacebuilding but also critical to Nigeria’s economic stability and food sustainability.
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