Open Cattle Grazing Abolished To Prevent Further Crisis In Nigeria – Minister

News in Brief:

-The Nigerian Federal Government has outlawed open grazing, declaring it a capital offence while urging livestock owners to adopt ranching systems.

-Officials say modern livestock reforms could earn Nigeria $74 billion and reduce farmer–herder clashes nationwide.

The Federal Government has formally abolished open cattle grazing across Nigeria, declaring it a capital offence in a sweeping move aimed at ending recurring bloodshed and destabilisation linked to farmer–herder clashes.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced the decision in Yola, Adamawa State, during the inauguration of the 1st National Council on Livestock Development.

Ranching Now Nigeria’s Official Policy

Maiha said Nigerians have endured decades of violence caused by unrestricted cattle movement, compelling the government to embrace a modern livestock management system.

“It is now a capital offence to be caught grazing openly. All cattle rearers are encouraged to adopt ranching, which is safer and yields healthier, better-fed cattle suitable for commercial purposes,” he stated.

The Minister added that livestock has been prioritised to become Nigeria’s next major revenue stream after oil, noting that over $14 billion has already been generated from recent livestock development programmes, with a $74 billion target set for the next five years.

Adamawa Seeks Support for Grazing Reserves and Ranching

Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Professor Farauta George, described Adamawa as the traditional 'home of livestock,' expressing strong support for the policy shift.

She urged the Federal Government to approve the state’s Natural Resource Fund Grant Application submitted in May 2024, aimed at reducing herder–farmer conflict and improving grazing reserves.

George listed ongoing livestock-focused interventions including:

• Rehabilitation and demarcation of 69 grazing reserves
• Dam desilting and provision of watering points
• Establishment of a state NLTP office for pasture development
• Modernisation of international cattle markets
• Rehabilitation of Yola Ultra-Modern Abattoirs
• Construction of veterinary hospitals and laboratories

She said these initiatives align with the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), which promotes ranching and value-chain development.

Lawmakers Back Modern Livestock Policy

Chairman, Senate Committee on Livestock, Senator Musa Mustapha, praised the reforms, saying livestock could soon rival oil revenues.

He pledged legislative support for a stronger livestock development budget.

Chairman, House Committee on Livestock, Hon. Tasir Olawale Raji, commended the decision to end open grazing. He said the long-standing practice created “needless confusion,” adding that modern ranching should have been implemented years ago to prevent nationwide conflict.