Daniel Otera
Baba Othman, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has called on the Nigerian government to take into account the unique characteristics of the country’s herding communities when implementing ranching policies.
Othman made this appeal during an appearance on Arise News’ The Morning Show on Wednesday, in response to a recent government directive that requires all herders to operate from ranches under the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development.
MACBAN, an organisation founded in 1986 as an umbrella body for Fulani pastoralists and headquartered in Kaduna, has long advocated for better attention to the livestock sector. The association became legally operational in 1979 and has gained wide acceptance as a platform for addressing the needs of cattle breeders across Nigeria.
The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 by President Bola Tinubu marks a significant shift, aimed at modernising livestock farming, enhancing food security, boosting economic growth through value chains, and reducing perennial clashes between herders and farmers. This ministry emerged from years of demands by livestock stakeholders who felt overlooked under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, where focus had largely shifted to crop production, leaving the livestock sector underdeveloped for decades.
Othman highlighted that MACBAN was among the groups that pushed for this dedicated ministry, noting the historical neglect.
“We are part of the group that agitated for the creation of the livestock ministry in this country because we have never had one before. All these while, we have been existing under a mere ministry, the federal ministry of agriculture where attention has been shifted totally to agronomy, neglecting the livestock sector over the decades,” he said.
The livestock sector in Nigeria is an essential component of the country’s agricultural industry, playing a critical role in national food security and contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. With over 15 million pastoralists managing approximately 82% of Nigeria’s cattle population, this sector is a significant part of the agricultural landscape. The cattle managed by these pastoralists provide a substantial supply of meat, dairy products, and other animal-derived goods that are crucial for both domestic consumption and international trade. Nigeria’s livestock sector, therefore, supports not only the livelihoods of millions of people but also contributes greatly to the overall economy.
Pastoralists in Nigeria play a pivotal role in the management of the nation’s cattle population. These individuals, typically living in rural areas, are responsible for the care, breeding, and herding of cattle, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s meat and dairy industries. Managing more than 80% of the country’s cattle, pastoralists ensure that the country meets its demand for beef, milk, and other livestock products. Their practices also contribute to the local agro-economy by providing jobs, sustaining local markets, and supporting agricultural growth. The pastoral system in Nigeria is deeply integrated into the cultural and economic framework of rural communities, where livestock farming remains a key driver of wealth and food security.
In 2024, Nigeria’s rural population stood at approximately 104.6 million, accounting for about 45% of the total national population. A large proportion of this rural population is involved in agricultural activities, including livestock farming. Pastoralism, particularly cattle herding, is widespread in these rural areas, where most pastoralists are based. The rural communities depend on livestock as a primary source of income, and many families rely on farming, animal husbandry, and related industries for their livelihoods. The size of Nigeria’s rural population reflects the importance of agriculture in the national economy, with millions of people involved in farming, fishing, and livestock management.
While the livestock sector plays a crucial role in contributing to Nigeria’s food security and foreign exchange earnings, it is not without its challenges. Pastoralists in Nigeria face numerous difficulties, including climate change, disease outbreaks, and conflicts with farmers and other groups over land and resources. These challenges hinder the effective management of livestock, disrupt supply chains, and threaten the sustainability of the sector. Furthermore, climate change impacts such as droughts and floods have significantly reduced grazing land and water resources for livestock, further exacerbating the difficulties faced by pastoralists.
Othman pointed out that while the government’s ranching policy holds potential to transform the sector and enhance livelihoods, its success depends on acknowledging the ground realities of those involved. He explained that ranching comes in various models, and Nigeria must adopt ones that fit its pastoralists.
“Ranch has so many models, we have to involve a model that can suit the pastoralists that we have in this country. We have a pastoral population that is close to 30 million that is not mostly educated and not practicing the perimeters of animal husbandry. They inherited it from their forefathers because there was no attempt by the first administration to educate them and modernise the trade,” he explained.
For many herders, cattle rearing goes beyond an economic pursuit; it represents a cultural heritage and a traditional way of life passed down through generations. Othman urged policymakers to create ranching models that incorporate these cultural and social dynamics instead of relying on foreign approaches that may not align with local contexts.
“They are doing it as a source of livelihood and a way of life, so one has to understand these peculiarities and dynamics of the animal husbandry before you sit down and involve a model that can suit them,” he counselled.
In Nigeria, various ranching models are being implemented to ensure sustainable livestock production and mitigate conflicts between herders and farmers. One such model is the geospatial-based site selection for ranches in Bauchi State, which utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. This approach aims to identify land that is optimal for cattle ranching while minimizing potential conflicts. According to a study conducted in the region, approximately 41% of Bauchi State’s land is suitable for ranching, while 33% is deemed unsuitable.
Additionally, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported model ranches in Kaduna and Niger States, which are designed to promote controlled grazing and sustainability. These ranches feature essential infrastructure like solar-powered boreholes and drip irrigation systems, ensuring adequate water and forage availability for livestock.
The Nigerian government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) has encouraged the shift towards sedentary systems like ranching to modernize the country’s livestock sector. As part of this initiative, herd simulation models have been adapted for local breeds such as Muturu cattle in the Southeast. These models assess the productivity of these breeds under sedentary pastoral systems. Despite operating at a low commercial level, the models show that these systems have the potential for sustainable livestock farming if managed properly.
Herder-farmer conflicts in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions, have been a significant source of violence and displacement. Reports indicate that over 50,000 lives have been lost in these conflicts, with approximately four million cattle being stolen or killed due to violence. These clashes are exacerbated by issues such as climate change, competition over land and water resources, cattle rustling, and inadequate governance of resources. The pressing need for tailored solutions to address these challenges remains clear.
The Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture has emphasized the importance of large-scale livestock production, job creation, and partnerships with the private sector to address these challenges. However, it is crucial that these strategies incorporate inclusive approaches that respect the herders’ heritage while promoting modernization and sustainability within the sector.