President Bola Tinubu established the Ministry of Livestock Development. The ministry’s foundation was announced at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, which was formed to address the farmers-herders dilemma.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other cabinet members attended the inauguration.
Recall that in September 2023, President Tinubu approved the formation of the Presidential Committee tasked with reforming the livestock business and providing long-term solutions to the country’s frequent confrontations between herders and farmers.
This came after the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria had submitted its report. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) had petitioned the president to establish a livestock ministry.
Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, MACBAN president, voiced the demand last month, stating that pastoralists wanted a full-fledged livestock ministry.
Ngelzarma stated, ‘‘The entire livestock value chain issues can be addressed holistically rather than what is going on now at the National Assembly, working to create a bill for animal husbandry or ranching. Ranching is just an aspect of livestock. Instead of going for ranching, why can’t the president create a pool-blown ministry for livestock so that all the value chains related to livestock issues can be addressed holistically by that ministry? Issues of production, processing, marketing, transportation, and even security-related issues can be addressed if there is a ministry dedicated to that purpose.’’
