Fulani Leaders Demand 30% Agricultural Budget for Livestock Development

News in Brief:

— Fulani leaders urge lawmakers to allocate at least 30 per cent of the agricultural budget to the Ministry of Livestock Development and establish pilot ranches across the country.

— The coalition wants 417 grazing reserves protected, alleged killings of pastoralists investigated and a national dialogue convened to address farmer-herder conflicts.

Fulani leaders under the Confederation of Pastoralists are urging President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to allocate at least 30% of Nigeria’s agricultural budget to the Ministry of Livestock Development and establish pilot ranches across the six geopolitical zones.

Abdullahi Ardo, General Secretary of the Kautal Pulaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria, recently made these demands at an international press conference in Abuja. Ardo welcomed the creation of the livestock ministry in 2024 but argued that inadequate funding and the absence of a clear operational framework could undermine its mandate to modernise the sector. The coalition described livestock as a ₦30 trillion economy and urged the government to invest in ranching infrastructure and fodder production to improve productivity.

Coalition Demands Investigation into Attacks

The leaders also called for an independent investigation into alleged killings, cattle rustling and the destruction of pastoralist settlements in several states. Ardo said women, children and elderly people had been among those affected, while livestock losses and displacement had worsened the hardship faced by pastoralist communities. The coalition urged security agencies to investigate reported attacks and called for relief assistance for displaced families through relevant government agencies.

The group proposed a national dialogue involving pastoralist associations, farmers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies and state governments to address recurring conflicts. Its demands come amid continuing debate over grazing practices, land rights and alternative livestock production systems. Implementing the proposals would require substantial public investment, coordination between federal and state authorities, and consultations with affected communities.