Tinubu Vows to Deliver Ranching, Livestock Reforms to End Conflicts

By Margaret Abah

ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering comprehensive ranching and livestock sector reforms aimed at ending persistent farmer-herder conflicts and boosting agricultural productivity across Nigeria.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President expressed confidence that the meeting would yield actionable resolutions on ranching, livestock investment, dairy farming and agricultural diversification.

“I’m confident that the resolution of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches and diversification of our agricultural produce. I promise you here, I will play my part. I promise Nigeria that this will be delivered,” Tinubu said.

The President linked the urgent need to transform the livestock sector to national security concerns, describing banditry and terrorism as economic hindrances that require immediate and decisive solutions. He stressed that sustained insecurity has continued to undermine livelihoods and economic growth across the country.

Tinubu’s remarks follow his December 10, 2025 directive to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to develop a clear roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry through ranching, which he described as a lasting solution to long-running farmer-herder clashes. At that Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the President tasked Shettima, who chairs the NEC, with sensitising governors and key stakeholders on implementing ranching reforms, while instructing the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to identify villages and grazing areas suitable for rehabilitation into modern ranches.

“We must eliminate these areas of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” Tinubu had said.

In line with the directive, the NEC at its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025 inaugurated a Livestock Development Committee chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, with representatives from all six geopolitical zones, to fast-track nationwide ranching and livestock production reforms.

At Monday’s conference, the President also pledged renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security forces to defeat terrorism and banditry, noting that insecurity has remained a source of concern for citizens and government alike.

“To further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry, that I promise you is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you that we will win with determination and resilience,” he said.

Describing banditry and terrorism as alien to Nigeria’s culture, Tinubu said such acts were unacceptable and detrimental to economic progress if not urgently addressed. He also commended Vice President Shettima for what he described as years of intellectual and focused leadership of the NEC, and praised several state governors, particularly those of Borno and Katsina states, for their efforts in defending lives, liberty and public assets.

The President arrived at the conference venue at 12:12 pm before formally declaring the second edition of the NEC conference open. Vice President Shettima is presiding over the meeting, convened by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, under the theme “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.”

The conference, scheduled for February 9 and 10, is expected to address key macroeconomic priorities, including fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation and shared development strategies between the federal and state governments. State governors, senior government officials, development partners and private-sector leaders are participating as the Federal Government seeks to deepen reforms under its Renewed Hope Agenda.