President Bola Tinubu has urged herders across the country to abandon open grazing, submit illegal firearms, and adopt ranching as part of a renewed national approach to resolving the persistent farmer–herder clashes.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Tinubu said the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to find lasting solutions to violent confrontations between herders and farming communities—conflicts that have destabilised several states in the North and the central region.
The President’s appeal comes against the backdrop of rising school abductions in Niger, Kebbi, and other states over the past week, alongside continuing farmer–herder violence in the North Central zone that has resulted in numerous fatalities.
“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” Tinubu said.
He called on all herder associations to take advantage of the new policy direction, discontinue open grazing, and surrender any illegal weapons in their possession.
Tinubu also appealed to religious institutions, particularly mosques and churches located in vulnerable communities, to liaise closely with security agencies to ensure safety during worship and public gatherings.
The President highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock as a crucial component of his administration’s long-term strategy. He urged herder groups to work with the ministry, modernise livestock production, and shift fully to ranch-based systems.
He noted that farmer–herder disputes have long contributed to insecurity—ranging from land disagreements to deadly clashes—especially in the Middle Belt.
According to Tinubu, the new livestock policy is designed to safeguard both farmers and herders while reducing land-use tensions. As part of the transition, he said the Federal Government, in collaboration with state governments, will support ranch development and introduce measures to stop the spread of illegal arms.
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