President Bola Tinubu has announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The new ministry is expected to provide solutions to the perennial clashes between pastoralists and farmers in the country.
The president approved the creation of the ministry on Tuesday when he inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.
Nigeria has witnessed years of conflicts between farmers and herders with the president believing that the creation of the ministry would resolve the lingering impasse.
Announcing the creation of the ministry, Tinubu said: “Who says the solution is far? I say ‘no,’ the solution is here. Majority of you have great experience and you want Nigeria to prosper.
“To enable Nigeria finally take advantage of livestock farming, we have seen the solution and opportunity for this adversity that has plagued us over the years and I believe the prosperity is here in our hands.”
With the coming of the ministry, the president noted that Nigeria could now look forward to maintaining the quality and safety of these perishable goods from farm to the market, thereby reducing food waste and ensuring a stable supply.
He said the federal government is fully prepared to cover the cost of acquiring lands to ensure peaceful co-existence between pastoralists and farmers.
While the president will chair the Committee on Livestock Reforms, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega is the Deputy Chairman.The committee is expected to propose recommendations aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers, ensuring the security and economic well-being of Nigerians.
Tinubu’s announcement came 10 months after he approved the establishment of the presidential committee to address herders and farmers’ clashes, and bolster livestock and dairy industries.
He set up the committee after receiving a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria.
The committee, chaired by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, gave President Tinubu 21 recommendations, including creating a Ministry of Livestock Resources.
