Tinubu Pledges Ranching, Livestock Reforms to End Farmer-Herder Clashes

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday vowed to implement sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector, linking the transformation directly to national security and economic stability. The President made the remarks at the opening of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Tinubu expressed confidence that the conference would deliver actionable resolutions on ranching, livestock investment, and agricultural diversification. “I’m confident that the resolutions of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches, and diversification of our agricultural produce. I promise you, I will play my part. I promise Nigerians that this will be delivered,” he said.

The President’s declaration follows his December 10, 2025 directive to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to develop a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry through modern ranching—a long-term solution to persistent farmer-herder conflicts. At the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Tinubu directed Shettima to sensitize governors and stakeholders on implementing ranching reforms, while tasking the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to identify villages and grazing areas for rehabilitation into modern ranches.

“We must eliminate these areas of conflict and make livestock reform economically viable. The opportunity is there; let’s utilize it,” the President said.

Following the directive, NEC inaugurated a Livestock Development Committee at its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025, chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, with representatives from all six geopolitical zones, to fast-track nationwide ranching and livestock production reforms.

At Monday’s conference, Tinubu also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening security forces to defeat terrorism and banditry, describing both as alien to Nigerian culture and a major economic hindrance. “These threats have kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you we will win with determination and resilience,” he said.

The President commended Vice President Shettima for steering the council through three years of “intellectual deliberations” and praised governors, particularly from Borno and Katsina states, for defending freedom, liberty, and the commonwealth.

Tinubu arrived at the conference venue at 12:12 pm and formally declared the second edition of the NEC conference open. Vice President Shettima presides over the event, convened by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, under the theme: “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.”

The conference, which runs through February 9 and 10, brings together state governors, top government officials, development partners, and private-sector leaders to address fiscal coordination, investment mobilization, and shared development strategies between federal and state governments.