The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration among state governments, livestock producers, herders and other stakeholders as part of efforts to address the persistent farmers-herders crisis in Nigeria.

The call was made on Thursday, October 1, 2026, by the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Muktar Maiha during a stakeholders’ engagement on livestock practices and farmers-herders conflict resolution held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The engagement, organised in collaboration with the Ogun State Government, the herders’ community and livestock stakeholders, focused on finding sustainable approaches to livestock production while promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

Maiha said one of the fundamental steps towards addressing the crisis was the provision of designated land for livestock production, stressing that livestock should be treated as a business requiring appropriate facilities and investment.

He said, “Livestock is business, and every business requires a business facility. So, we must agree to allocate land for livestock production. That is the first thing.”

The minister explained that the absence of dedicated spaces for livestock production had contributed to the movement of animals from one location to another, thereby creating conditions that could lead to conflicts between herders and farming communities.

He therefore urged state governors across the country to make land available for livestock development and production, saying this would provide a more organised environment for animal husbandry and reduce unnecessary movement.

According to him, livestock development centres could be established through partnerships involving the Federal Government, state governments and the private sector. Such centres, he said, would provide permanent locations where animals could be reared, managed and processed to improve productivity.

Maiha also emphasised the need for greater synergy between the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and state governments, noting that coordinated efforts were necessary to unlock opportunities within the livestock value chain.

He identified Ogun State as having existing facilities and institutions capable of supporting the development of the sector, citing the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and other livestock-related establishments in the state.

The minister added that the proposed approach would create opportunities not only for major investors but also for small-scale livestock producers and other operators within the value chain.

He said the Federal Government was ready to work with the Ogun State Government, the Commissioner and the state’s livestock adviser to develop opportunities capable of strengthening livestock production in the state.

Maiha maintained that providing an organised framework for livestock production could contribute to improved productivity, greater investment and a more structured relationship between livestock producers and farming communities.

Speaking on the opportunities within Ogun State’s livestock sector, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Angel Adelaja-Kuye, said the State is deliberately looking beyond traditional livestock production to build a more modern, intensive and commercially viable livestock industry.

She noted that young people and women have significant opportunities across the livestock value chain, not only in animal rearing and breeding, but also in pasture establishment, feed production, hatcheries and day-old chick production, processing and other support services.

 “We want our young people and women to see livestock not simply as an activity of rearing animals, but as a complete value chain with multiple entry points for investment, employment and enterprise,” she said.

According to her, Ogun State’s focus is increasingly shifting towards more intensive and efficient production systems, supported by better genetics, improved nutrition, proper housing, biosecurity, technology and stronger access to markets.

 She stressed that this transition would enable producers to achieve higher productivity from available land and resources while creating opportunities for a new generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs.

“Whether it is establishing pasture, producing quality feed, breeding improved stock, operating a poultry hatchery or producing day-old chicks, there is room for young people and women to build profitable businesses around livestock. Our responsibility as government is to create the enabling environment, strengthen linkages and support the sector to move from subsistence practices towards a more productive and commercially oriented system,” she added.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor  on Inter-Ethnic Affairs, Hon. Hadi Sani in his remarks commended the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Muktar Maliha, for his efforts towards addressing the challenges surrounding farmers-herders relations in the country.

He said the state government remains committed to promoting peaceful coexistence among farmers, herders and other ethnic groups in Ogun State. 

Abiodun's aide assured that the government would continue to support initiatives aimed at preventing conflicts and strengthening understanding between the two communities.

Hadi Sani called on farmers and herders to always embrace dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful means of resolving their differences, rather than resorting to confrontation. 

According to him, maintaining peace is essential for agricultural activities and the overall development of the state.

He also urged both farmers and herders to respect one another’s rights and responsibilities, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved when all stakeholders work together. 

Hadi Sani expressed optimism that continued collaboration between the government, farmers, herders and other stakeholders would help reduce conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence across Ogun State.

The event had in attendance, the Commisioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, the Special Adviser to Governor Abuodun on security, Edward Ajogun, the representative of the Commissioner Of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni,   Alhaji Kabiru Labar, Chairman, Miyetiallah Southwest , Alhaji Dende Muhammed, Chairman MiyetiAllah Ogun State, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Hassan

Sarkin Hausawa of Egbaland, Security chiefs,Chairman Poultry Association, Chairman Pig Association among others.