The National Economic Council (NEC) has called for a shift from traditional livestock rearing practices to more modern methods, citing the need for reform to address the ongoing farmers-herders conflicts in Nigeria.
The call came during a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State briefed the media after the meeting, emphasizing the Council’s stance on modernizing the livestock sector as a way to reduce violence and improve the country’s economic prospects.
“The current system of animal husbandry is fueling tensions between farmers and herders, contributing to the violence we have witnessed across states such as Plateau, Benue, and Kwara,” Diri said.
The recent wave of violence has claimed numerous lives in the Middle Belt, particularly in Plateau and Benue States, where farmers and herders have clashed over land use.
In Plateau, back-to-back attacks earlier this month resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people, drawing accusations of ethnic and religious motivations.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State also linked the violence to attacks by “suspected herdsmen,” which have become a recurring problem in the region.
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Many of the herders involved in these conflicts are Fulani Muslims, while the farmers are often Christian, adding an ethnic and religious dimension to the tensions.
In response to these challenges, the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development has proposed an Accelerated Livestock Development and Growth Strategy.
The initiative aims to boost the sector’s revenue, projecting an increase to between $70 billion and $90 billion by 2035.
“Council stressed that Nigeria cannot continue with outdated practices,” Governor Diri added. “The modernization of livestock production is crucial for peace and economic growth.”
The NEC’s call for reform comes as the country grapples with the broader implications of climate change, expanding human settlements, and competition for dwindling resources, all of which are contributing to the intensifying conflict between farmers and herders.
With security forces struggling to contain the violence, the call for reform in livestock practices represents a potential solution to a deeply entrenched issue that has claimed many lives and threatened national stability.