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The Federal Government has taken a decisive step to tackle the long-running clashes between farmers and herders by placing a nationwide ban on open grazing.

The announcement came on Tuesday during the inauguration of the first-ever National Council on Livestock Development in Yola, Adamawa State. 

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed the new policy, describing it as a necessary intervention to halt years of bloodshed and economic setbacks.

Maiha explained that communities across the country have suffered deeply from the crisis families uprooted, farmlands destroyed, and livestock lost. 

According to him, the open-grazing system has fueled tension for too long, with both farmers and herders paying the price in lives and livelihoods.

“There is no reason Nigerians should continue living in fear over an avoidable conflict,” he said, stressing that the practice has now been classified as a capital offence. 

He encouraged herders to embrace ranching, noting that a structured system is not only safer but also more profitable.

The minister added that ranching offers better cattle health, improved weight, and a more reliable business model for herders. Beyond peace and security, he emphasized the sector’s massive economic potential, projecting livestock development to become Nigeria’s second-largest revenue earner after oil.

Maiha revealed that ongoing livestock programmes have already generated over $14 billion, with the government estimating a possible $74 billion in the next five years if reforms progress as planned.

Representing the host state, Adamawa Deputy Governor, Professor Kaleptawa Farauta, welcomed the council’s inauguration, noting that Adamawa is one of Nigeria’s strongest livestock hubs. She said the state is well-positioned to support national efforts to modernize the sector.

The newly inaugurated National Council on Livestock Development consists of livestock directors from all 36 states and the FCT. 

The council is expected to coordinate reforms, monitor their implementation, and guide the transition toward a modern, conflict-free livestock industry.