Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha
Nigeria Government has dismissed circulating reports that open grazing has been banned across Nigeria, insisting that the nation is instead embracing a gradual move toward modern livestock management.
Speaking on Tuesday during the inauguration of an ultramodern Veterinary Hospital in Yola, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, set the record straight. “The government is instead implementing a gradual, well-structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems,” he said.
Maiha highlighted that Nigeria currently boasts 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering over 4.5 million hectares, emphasizing that the Federal Government is collaborating with state governments to upgrade these reserves.
“We are working closely with the state governments to revitalise, equip, and make these reserves conducive for pastoralists and other livestock operators,” he added.
The minister explained that the transition plan is designed to support productivity and reduce conflicts without abruptly ending open grazing.
“The grazing reserves provided by law are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities. Our responsibility is to upgrade these reserves and facilitate their proper utilisation,” he said.
Maiha further stressed that pastoralists, like any other economic sector, require a structured environment to thrive. “The transition plan provides viable alternatives that support productivity, reduce conflicts, and promote a sustainable livestock ecosystem,” he noted.
He urged Nigerians to rely on official government channels for accurate information and to disregard misleading media reports about a supposed nationwide ban.
