Pastoralist organisations from across Nigeria have pledged continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s livestock reforms, expressing appreciation for the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The pledge was made on Saturday, October 31, at a national thank-you rally organised by a coalition of pastoralist groups at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna. The event brought together livestock farmers, ranchers, processors, marketers, commodity associations and representatives of state governments.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the creation of the ministry in July 2024 as a major step towards giving the sector dedicated attention at the federal level.
Maiha urged pastoralists, livestock farmers, dairy producers, traders and other stakeholders to take ownership of the ministry’s programmes and work with government to improve livelihoods, promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen the livestock value chain.
He disclosed that seven modern veterinary hospitals had been completed, while 14 others were at various stages of development. The ministry is also implementing interventions in animal disease control, pasture and fodder development, livestock breeding and dairy production.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Murtala Mohammed Dabo, highlighted state interventions including solar-powered water facilities, livestock vaccination, artificial insemination, pasture development and abattoir improvements.
The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said the ministry’s establishment fulfilled a longstanding demand by pastoralist communities. He stressed that peacebuilding should be a shared responsibility between farmers and pastoralists.
The coalition also presented President Tinubu with a traditional Fulani hat as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. The minister received it on the President’s behalf.
The reforms are intended to improve livestock productivity, pastoralist livelihoods and economic opportunities while supporting efforts to address farmer-herder tensions through dialogue and responsible management of land and water resource.
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