Minister Refutes Purported Ban on Open Grazing

·       Vows to deliver tangible results in livestock sector through partnerships

James Emejo in Abuja

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, yesterday debunked reports claiming that open grazing had been banned nationwide.

The minister said no such policy had been announced, adding that the government is instead implementing a gradual, well-structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Maiha explained that Nigeria currently has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering over 4.5 million hectares.

He said the federal government is working closely with state governments to revitalise, equip, and make these reserves conducive for pastoralists and other livestock operators.

Maiha noted that the transition plan does not abolish open grazing overnight but provides viable alternatives that support productivity, reduce conflicts, and promote a sustainable livestock ecosystem.

He said, “Pastoralists, like every other economic group, require a structured business environment. The grazing reserves provided by law are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities. Our responsibility is to upgrade these reserves and facilitate their proper utilisation.”

The ministry however, urged the public to disregard misleading media reports and rely on official government communication channels for accurate information on livestock development policies.

Separately, Maiha reassured Nigerians that the ministry’s ongoing partnerships and investments are practical, results-driven efforts already taking shape, and will soon translate into meaningful, visible gains for citizens across the country.

Speaking at the maiden National Council on Livestock Development in Yola, Adamawa, he highlighted the ministry’s progress over the past year.

He disclosed that several bilateral and private-sector engagements have matured into strong expressions of interest, with companies preparing targeted investments in key value chains including dairy, beef, fodder, small ruminants, animal breeding, poultry, piggery, and animal identification.

The minister said, “We will see the physical manifestation of these engagements in a few months”, noting that development partners are already supporting dairy development, peacebuilding and climate-smart livestock production.

This, he said, offers real hope for pastoralists, farmers and rural households who have long awaited stability, better incomes, safer grazing environments and stronger animal health systems.

The minister explained that the council was established to coordinate national strategies, strengthen collaboration, attract investment, and reposition the sector as a major driver of economic diversification, food security, rural development, and peacebuilding.

The ministry, established 16 months ago, has a mandate to transition the livestock industry from a traditional and conflict-prone practice into a modern, sustainable, and economically vibrant enterprise that would expand the livestock sector’s contribution to the economy from its current $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035, guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) and the National Livestock Master Plan.

Maiha urged stakeholders to work together to make the livestock sector a “beacon of prosperity, a source of national pride, shared progress, peace, and food security for all Nigerians”.