President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development on Tuesday, a move aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms at the Council Chamber in the State House in Abuja. Tinubu will chair the committee, with former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega serving as deputy chairman.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The committee is tasked with proposing recommendations to promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers and ensure national security and economic well-being.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the new ministry will resolve the lingering impasse, saying, “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.”
He added, “To enable Nigeria to 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.”
READ ALSO: Tinubu Urged to Sack Wike as FCT Minister Over Rivers State Political Crisis
The Federal Government is prepared to cover the cost of acquiring lands to ensure peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farmers, according to Tinubu.
The creation of the ministry follows a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria, which recommended the establishment of a Ministry of Livestock Resources to address the decades-long conflict between herders and farmers.
