By Kabiru Abdulrauf
In response to the escalating farmer-herder conflicts across Nigeria, the National Economic Council (NEC) has issued a strong call for a comprehensive review of the nation’s livestock rearing practices. Meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized the urgent need to shift from traditional pastoralism to a more modern, sustainable system of animal husbandry.
The move comes amid a surge of violent clashes in states like Plateau, Benue, and Kwara, where scores of civilians have been killed in recent weeks. These conflicts, often rooted in disputes over land use between nomadic cattle herders and settled farmers, have increasingly taken on ethnic and religious dimensions.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State noted, “Council emphasised the fact that we cannot continue to live in the past, and we must now work towards modernising livestock production in Nigeria.” He added that the outdated livestock system remains a core driver of the deadly conflicts seen across many rural communities.
The Council also welcomed the initiatives of the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, which unveiled an Accelerated Livestock Development and Growth Strategy. This ambitious plan aims to transform the sector into a key economic contributor, targeting revenue generation of $70 to $90 billion by 2035.
Meanwhile, governors and local authorities have struggled to stem the tide of violence, particularly in Plateau State, where recent attacks by unidentified gunmen left more than 100 people dead. While local officials describe the killings as acts of terrorism or even genocide, many observers argue that underlying causes such as land disputes, weak governance, and growing environmental pressures are being overlooked.
The NEC’s position signals a potential turning point in addressing the long-standing crisis. However, meaningful change will require strong political will, coordinated policy reforms, and significant investment in infrastructure to support a modern livestock industry.
As Nigeria confronts the dual challenges of insecurity and economic stagnation, modernising the livestock sector may not only help end the cycle of violence but also unlock new pathways for rural development and national cohesion.
