Federal Government Clarifies It Has Not Banned Open Grazing Nationwide
The Federal Government has moved to correct reports suggesting that open grazing has been outlawed nationwide, saying no such ban exists and that the country is only easing into modern ranching practices step by step. In a statement released on Tuesday by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Livestock Development, the Ministry confirmed that the Minister, Alhaji Idi Maiha, has not announced any new policy prohibiting open grazing. The statement noted that the government is “implementing a gradual, structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems,” adding that Nigeria already has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares. According to the Ministry, the Federal Government is partnering with state governments to rehabilitate and equip these reserves so they can serve as functional hubs for pastoralists and other livestock businesses. It clarified that the transition plan is not an abrupt end to open grazing but a shift designed to improve productivity, reduce clashes, and build a more sustainable livestock economy. Maiha emphasised the need for pastoralists to operate within an organised economic framework, saying the grazing reserves “are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities,” and that the government’s focus is on upgrading them for proper use. The Ministry urged the public to disregard inaccurate reports and rely on official sources for updates on livestock policies. Past attempts to reform the livestock sector include the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which sought to promote ranching as a replacement for open grazing in order to stem violent farmer–herder crises and improve national productivity. The plan introduced the idea of RUGA settlements—designated rural grazing areas where herders could live and raise their cattle—but many southern states rejected the policy over land and security concerns. More recently, the re-established Ministry of Livestock Development has continued to advocate for a nationwide shift to ranching, stressing that the phase-out of open grazing will be gradual rather than enforced through an immediate ban.
