Eleven states across Nigeria have indicated readiness to support the Federal Government’s ranching programme, aimed at resolving the persistent conflict between farmers and herders.
The states include Lagos, Plateau, Ondo, Zamfara, Bauchi, Delta, Niger, Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Anambra.
While some have already allocated land, others are in the process of drafting policies and infrastructure to support ranching.
This development comes amid a spike in deadly clashes linked to armed herders, including last week’s killing of over 200 people in Yelewata, Benue State.
In response to the incident, President Bola Tinubu described the attacks as acts of land-grabbing and vowed to pursue those responsible.
He also set up a committee made up of former governors and traditional rulers in Benue to foster peace in the state.
In Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Emmanuel Audu, said the state already had a functioning anti-open grazing law and was implementing a ranching system independently. “We are putting infrastructure in place and plan to allot land to private investors,” he said.
The Plateau State Government also confirmed its participation through a joint project with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
According to the governor’s Special Adviser on Policy and Governance, Yiljap Abraham, reserves in Wase and Kanam will be used for ranching, with a pilot phase already launched.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, revealed that 22,000 hectares of land had been provided in Awe Local Government Area for the federal ranching project.
He called on the Federal Government to expedite the programme across all participating states.
Zamfara also declared readiness to provide land, with the governor’s aide, Mustafa Jafaru, confirming that the state had “abundant land” for the project.
Anambra’s Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, reiterated that the state’s anti-open grazing law remained active and confirmed the government’s willingness to contribute land. “Governor Soludo is part of the President’s economic team and will support the ranching plan,” he said.
However, reactions from other states remain mixed. The Ondo State Government confirmed it runs two ranches but has yet to partner with the Federal Government.
Adamawa officials said they had only received a request for land for pasture development, not specifically for ranching.
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In Benue, where the anti-open grazing law is in force, the government has yet to decide on allocating land for federal ranching.
Residents and civil society groups in the state continue to oppose any move perceived to benefit Fulani herders.
Similarly, in Imo, Edo, and Bayelsa states, there is significant resistance from residents and political groups who argue that ranching remains a private enterprise that should not involve government land allocation.
Meanwhile, the Gombe State Government confirmed receipt of ₦60 billion from the Federal Government to develop an agro-livestock hub. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya said the project, which covers 184 hectares, would modernise livestock management in the state.
In Oyo and Bayelsa, anti-open grazing laws remain in effect, with erring herders facing prosecution.
Some states, like Kwara, are combining ranching with controlled open grazing while also providing infrastructure such as boreholes and feed processing units.
Despite support from various quarters, concerns persist over land use, transparency, and implementation.
Stakeholders in affected communities continue to call for proper regulation, fair land distribution, and conflict-sensitive planning.