Pastoralists Back Tinubu, Seek Sustained Investment In Livestock Development

Pastoralist organisations across Nigeria have pledged continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration while calling for sustained investment in livestock development to improve livelihoods, boost economic opportunities and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

The organisations made the commitment on Saturday at a One-Day Grand National Thank You Rally organised by a coalition of pastoralist groups to appreciate the President for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The rally, held on October 31, 2026, attracted representatives of state governments, livestock farmers, ranchers, processors, marketers, commodity associations and other support groups from across the country.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the establishment of the ministry in July 2024 as a historic milestone that had given the sector dedicated institutional attention after decades of advocacy by stakeholders.

Maiha urged pastoralists, livestock farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders to take ownership of the ministry and work with the government to improve productivity and expand economic opportunities across the livestock value chain.

“Livestock farmers, pastoralists, ranchers, dairy farmers, livestock traders, dealers, transporters, butchers, processors and marketers, this is your own ministry. Take it, own it and use it to improve your livelihood, build peace, harmony and shared prosperity,” he said.

The minister highlighted ongoing government interventions in veterinary infrastructure, animal disease control, pasture and fodder development, livestock breeding, dairy production and investment promotion.

He disclosed that the government had completed seven modern veterinary hospitals, while 14 others were at various stages of development.

Maiha also urged livestock associations to collaborate with the ministry and state governments to identify challenges facing their members and develop practical solutions to improve service delivery.

He called for stronger cooperation between farmers and pastoralists to prevent conflicts through dialogue, responsible management of land and water resources, and peaceful dispute resolution.

Also speaking, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, commended Tinubu for establishing the ministry, describing the move as an important step towards addressing longstanding challenges in the livestock sector.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Murtala Mohammed Dabo, said his administration had introduced several interventions to support pastoralist communities and improve livestock production.

He listed solar-powered water facilities, livestock vaccination, artificial insemination, pasture development and improvements to abattoirs among the initiatives being implemented by the state government.

Sani said the establishment of the ministry demonstrated the Federal Government’s recognition of the economic contributions of pastoralists and the need to address challenges affecting their livelihoods.

“Mr. President has told us, livestock is not conflict, livestock is wealth. Pastoralists are not a problem; pastoralists are partners. So, Mr. President, we deeply appreciate your gesture in creating the Ministry of Livestock and this is a demonstration that come 2027, by the grace of God, it will just be a knockout,” he said.

The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said the creation of the ministry fulfilled a decades-long demand by pastoralist communities for dedicated government attention to livestock development.

Ngelzarma said years of neglect had contributed to persistent tensions between farmers and herders, as well as security challenges, including cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry, which had affected both communities.

He said pastoralists were equally concerned about restoring peace and creating an enabling environment for livestock production.

“The Ministry was created specifically to address the issue of peacebuilding, and that is what the Minister is doing. Peacebuilding is our concern. It is not only the concern of the farmers; it is also our concern,” he said.

Similarly, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Pulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA), Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, commended Maiha for his commitment to advancing reforms in the livestock sector.

Suleiman described the minister as a leader actively working to transform the sector and urged stakeholders to sustain their support for the administration’s initiatives.

The President of the Federation of Agricultural and Commodity Associations of Nigeria, Sherif Balogun, who represents more than 65 commodity associations, also expressed support for the reforms.

Balogun said ongoing interventions were creating opportunities to improve agricultural productivity and expand business prospects for exporters and processors.

Other pastoralist representatives at the rally called for sustained government efforts to protect livestock assets, improve pastoralist livelihoods and expand investment opportunities across the livestock value chain.

They also pledged to work with the Federal Government and state authorities to advance the reforms and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders.

At the end of the rally, the coalition presented Tinubu with a traditional Fulani hat as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for establishing the ministry and giving livestock development greater attention in national policymaking.

Maiha received the gift on behalf of the President.