The Youth Advocacy for Development Initiative (YADI) recently urged the Nigerian federal government to implement comprehensive ranching reforms aimed at resolving the long-standing conflicts between farmers and herders.
YADI Project Officer Faruk Bala stated at a press conference in Abuja that Nigeria's open grazing system, which has persisted for decades, has exacerbated the frequency of violent incidents, particularly in the North Central region.
Citing data from the Crisis Communication Centre and the Nigeria Security Tracker, he noted that between 2018 and 2023, farmer-herder conflicts resulted in approximately 3,000 deaths and displaced over 300,000 people.
Bala said, "The 2024 Nigeria Watch report shows that in one year, 567 deaths related to farmer-herder violence occurred across 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory. These figures highlight the severe devastation to lives and livelihoods."
Structured ranching is seen as a sustainable alternative that can reduce disputes over land and water resources while modernizing the livestock industry.
Bala praised President Bola Tinubu's support for ranching reforms and mentioned that Kwara State has been selected as a pilot area.
He added that despite the livestock sector contributing over $32 billion to Nigeria's GDP, misinformation continues to hinder the promotion of ranching.
Within the framework of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (2025–2030), Bala pointed out that if properly structured, the sector's contribution could expand to between $74 billion and $94 billion within a decade.
Drawing global comparisons, countries like Brazil, the United States, Australia, and Uruguay earn billions of dollars annually from beef exports, whereas Nigeria, with about 20 million cattle, earned only about $172,000 from cattle exports in 2024, with meat and edible offal exports amounting to less than $200,000.
Bala believes that ranching reforms can increase revenue, boost foreign exchange earnings, reduce dependence on imported dairy and meat products, and create job opportunities within the livestock value chain.
He described ranching as an economic reform and national security intervention that helps prevent farmland encroachment, reduces violent conflicts, and introduces management accountability.
Bala called for inclusive stakeholder participation, including herders' associations, farmers' groups, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations, alongside advocacy through national institutions and media platforms.
He also advocated for clear land policies, infrastructure development, and incentives to encourage voluntary adoption.
Mukhtar Madobi, a researcher at the Crisis Communication Centre, stated that a media assessment in January 2026 showed that farmer-herder disputes remain a primary driver of community conflicts, especially in the North Central and Northwest regions.
Madobi added that the review found that the media visibility of agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force was predominantly positive, attributed to their operational performance and law enforcement activities.
He emphasized that transparency, measurable outcomes, and proactive communication are crucial in shaping public perception of security and governance in Nigeria.
