Pastoralists Express Appreciation To Tinubu, Pledge Support For Livestock Reforms

Pastoralist organisations from across Nigeria have expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, pledging their continued support for the administration’s reforms to reposition the sector for economic growth, improved livelihoods and peaceful coexistence.

The pledge was made on Saturday in Kaduna at a One-Day Grand National Thank You Rally organised by a coalition of pastoralist organisations, with representatives of several state governments, livestock farmers, ranchers, processors, marketers, commodity associations and support groups in attendance.

Speaking at the rally, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the creation of the Ministry in July 2024 as a historic milestone that has given livestock development dedicated institutional attention at the Federal level after decades of advocacy by stakeholders.

“Livestock farmers, pastoralists, ranchers, dairy farmers, livestock traders, dealers, transporters, butchers, processors and marketers, this is your own ministry.

“Take it, own it and use it to improve your livelihood, build peace, harmony and shared prosperity,” Maiha said.

The Minister also highlighted ongoing interventions in veterinary infrastructure, animal disease control, pasture and fodder development, livestock breeding, dairy production and investment promotion.

He disclosed that seven modern veterinary hospitals had been completed, while 14 others were at various stages of completion.

He urged livestock associations to work with the Ministry and state authorities to identify members’ needs, address production and market constraints, and develop practical proposals to improve service delivery.

He also called for stronger collaboration to prevent farmer-herder conflicts through dialogue, responsible land and water management, and peaceful dispute resolution.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Murtala Mohammed Dabo, commended President Tinubu for establishing the Ministry and praised the Minister’s efforts to implement livestock reforms.

Sani highlighted state-level interventions, including solar-powered water facilities for pastoralist communities, livestock vaccination, artificial insemination, pasture development and improvements to abattoirs.

“Mr. President has told us, livestock is not conflict; livestock is wealth. Pastoralists are not a problem; pastoralists are partners…

“So, Mr. President, we deeply appreciate your gesture in creating the Ministry of Livestock, and this is a demonstration that come 2027, by the grace of God, it will just be a knockout,” the Governor said.

On his part, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as the fulfilment of a decades-long demand by pastoralist communities for dedicated institutional attention to the sector.

He explained that the livestock sector had suffered years of neglect, contributing to persistent farmer-herder tensions and other security challenges, including cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry, which he said had affected both farmers and pastoralists.

“The Ministry was created specifically to address the issue of peace-building, and that is what the Minister is doing.

Peace-building is our concern. It is not only the concern of the farmers; it is also our concern,” he said.

Similarly, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Pulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA), Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, commended the Minister of Livestock Development for his commitment to advancing the sector, describing him as a leader who was actively committed to advancing reforms in the sector and urged continued support for the administration.

The President of the Federation of Agricultural and Commodity Associations of Nigeria, Mr. Sherif Balogun, representing over 65 commodity associations, also expressed support for the administration, citing improved productivity and emerging business opportunities for agricultural exporters and processors.

Other pastoralist representatives also lent their voices, describing the establishment of the Ministry as the fulfilment of a longstanding aspiration and pledging continued support for the administration while calling for sustained efforts to protect livestock assets, improve pastoralist livelihoods and expand economic opportunities across the value chain.

In a symbolic gesture at the conclusion of the rally, the coalition presented President Tinubu with a traditional Fulani hat as a token of appreciation for establishing the Ministry and giving livestock development a stronger voice in national policymaking.

The Minister received the gift on behalf of the President.

Chibuzor Emejor is a correspondent with Independent Newspapers.

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