FG Debunks Open Grazing Ban

Nigeria’s Federal Government has pushed back against claims that it has outlawed open grazing, stressing that the administration has not issued any directive banning the age-long practice. 

FG officials said the current livestock reform is designed to ensure an orderly shift toward modern ranching, not an abrupt prohibition that could destabilise herders and rural communities.

The clarification followed growing speculation triggered by media reports suggesting that open grazing had been scrapped. 

Moreover, the Ministry of Livestock Development said such reports distorted the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise livestock management.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, explained yesterday that the Federal Government is pursuing a gradual transition anchored on already-established grazing reserves. 

He noted that Nigeria has 273 gazetted reserves spanning more than 4.5 million hectares. According to him, the administration is working closely with state governments to rehabilitate the reserves and provide facilities that can support herders, ranch operators, and investors.

Mukhtar emphasised that the transition plan is not a ban, but a long-term strategy to reduce conflicts, boost productivity, and transform the livestock sector into a more economically competitive industry. 

“What we are building is a system that works for herders and farmers alike,” he said. “The idea is to offer practical alternatives rather than cut people off from a livelihood overnight.”

He added that modernising the reserves would help de-escalate clashes over land and water resources by offering pastoralists dedicated spaces for grazing and livestock business operations. 

“If the reserves function as intended, they become hubs for animal husbandry, veterinary services, and feed production,” he explained. “That is the sustainable path we are committed to.”

Mukhtar urged Nigerians to rely on verified government statements and avoid being misled by speculative reports circulating online. 

Furthermore, he maintained that accurate information is essential as the administration rolls out policy reforms with significant national impact.

The government’s position highlights an ongoing attempt to balance tradition with modernisation, a tension that will continue shaping debates around livestock development across the country.