Livestock Ministry: Group alleges exclusion of 'real' pastoralists

The Movement for Equity in Nigeria (MEN) has alleged that the good intention of President Bola Tinubu in establishing the Livestock Ministry is being sabotaged by gladiators it alleged are not real cattle rearers.

The group commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a historic step toward resolving the persistent conflict between nomadic pastoralists and local farmers across the country.

National coordinator MEN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, praised the initiative as visionary, noting that it could lead to long-term peace and sustainable livestock development if properly implemented. 

He also acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Livestock and the Presidential Advisers on Livestock Transformation, but expressed concerns about the apparent exclusion of real pastoralist communities from the planning and decision-making processes.

“We are beginning to see a pattern where individuals and organizations based in Abuja, many without grassroots membership, dominate the conversation on livestock reform. These actors frequently appear in meetings and on social media, claiming to speak for pastoralists, while the actual pastoral communities remain unaware of these programs,” Siddiki alleged.

He warned that unless the implementation of the ministry’s programs, particularly the transition to modern ranching, includes proper sensitization and involvement of pastoralists, the initiative may face the same fate as the abandoned grazing reserve projects of the past.

“If the goal is truly to promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable livestock management, then herders themselves must be informed, educated, and actively involved. It is unjust to prohibit someone from practicing a livelihood they understand without first equipping them with the knowledge and support to transition to a new system,” he added.

Siddiki called on the Federal Government to establish a grassroots outreach committee under the Ministry of Livestock. 

The committee, he suggested, should engage directly with herding communities across the country, educate them on the principles and benefits of ranching, and communicate clear timelines for the transition away from open grazing.

“The majority of Nigerian pastoralists neither understand nor practice ranching. Without proper education, awareness, and inclusion, the ministry's objectives may not be achieved, and the pastoralist communities may suffer as a result,” he warned.

The group reaffirmed its full support for the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock and urged the Federal Government to ensure the process remains inclusive, transparent, and focused on genuine stakeholder engagement.