Lawmakers urges minister to tackle farmers-herders clashes

Federal lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Livestock Development called on the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar, to use the newly established ministry to address the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders nationwide.
The lawmakers made this appeal on Tuesday during the minister’s appearance before the committee to defend the ministry’s 2025 budget proposal.
During the session, Senator Simon Lalong, a committee member representing Plateau South Senatorial District, emphasized the importance of resolving the clashes, which have led to unnecessary loss of lives and property. He noted that Nigerians expect the ministry to foster the development of the livestock sector in a manner that mitigates these conflicts.
Lalong also encouraged the minister to initiate a public awareness campaign highlighting the benefits of ranching to counteract misconceptions and outdated views about the practice.
“There are lots of misconceptions about ranching, but it is a key solution to the frequent clashes between farmers and herders,” Lalong said.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) added that the ministry should focus on harnessing the livestock value chain to boost the country’s economy.
“The livestock sector has the potential to contribute significantly to national economic development. It is essential to maximise its critical components for the benefit of the nation and its people,” Ningi noted.
Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Musa Mustapha, highlighted the need for the ministry to prioritise value chain development, infrastructure, climate change issues, and women and youth empowerment.
Similarly, co-chairman Wale Raji (APC, Lagos) emphasised the need for adequate funding to enable the ministry to fulfil its mandate in line with the Federal Government’s renewed agenda for the livestock sector.
He also called for advocacy and public sensitisation to shift the perception that livestock development is limited to cattle rearing, pointing out other areas such as poultry, piggery, and sheep and goat production.
In his budget presentation, the minister informed the committee that the ministry had allocated ₦10 billion for capital expenditures and ₦1.8 billion for overheads.
He explained that the capital projects, spread across the six geopolitical zones, aim to provide critical infrastructure for animal husbandry development.
The minister further revealed that President Bola Tinubu had instructed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to rehabilitate and furnish a complex for the ministry’s effective take-off.