Worried by the ongoing bloody clashes between farmers and herders in many parts of Nigeria, leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have called on state governors to bring back and modernize grazing reserves as a lasting solution to the crisis.
The call was made during a livestock development meeting held in Abuja, where the herders expressed frustration over the growing hostility they face and the lack of support for their centuries-old way of life.
Speaking at the forum, MACBAN’s spokesperson, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said the return of grazing reserves would give herders a place to settle peacefully, with access to basic needs like water, pasture, and veterinary care. He added that while the association is not against ranching, most herders cannot afford the cost of setting up or managing private ranches.
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“The truth is, we are not against ranching. But how many of our members can afford it? Grazing reserves, when revived and properly managed, can help us stay in one place and reduce these clashes,” he said.
Ngelzarma noted that as climate change dries up farmlands and cities expand, herders are pushed to move further in search of grass and water, which often brings them into conflict with farmers.
In support of the idea, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said several states have already provided land for modern livestock projects in partnership with the Federal Government.
“We need to face this issue head-on. Proper grazing areas managed in line with today’s realities can help prevent tension and improve food production,” he said.
While some Nigerians, especially from the South, remain skeptical, arguing that grazing reserves may violate land rights, herders insist that without a clear plan, the violence will continue.
They urged leaders to prioritize dialogue and consider the reality of herders who, for the most part, are poor, uneducated, and simply trying to survive.
