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Nigeria is taking a decisive step towards tackling one of its most persistent and heartbreaking challenges: the farmer-herder crisis. In a move poised to reshape the nation’s agricultural landscape and bolster food security, the National Economic Council (NEC) has just constituted a high-powered committee.
For years, tensions between farming and pastoral communities have flared into conflicts, disrupting livelihoods, eroding communal trust, and impeding economic progress. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, and the immense potential within Nigeria’s livestock sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently directed the NEC to collaborate with the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development on a comprehensive roadmap for industry transformation.
Under the astute leadership of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the 155th virtual NEC meeting, a dedicated committee has been formed. This pivotal body is tasked with fast-tracking livestock development initiatives, ultimately aiming to modernize the sector, boost food security, and bring a lasting resolution to the farmer-herder crisis.
Who’s On Board?
Chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, the committee boasts broad representation, ensuring diverse perspectives from across the nation. It includes one representative from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:
- Bauchi (North-East)
- Niger (North-Central)
- Ondo (South-West)
- Imo (South-East)
- Cross River (South-South)
- Kebbi (North-West)
Adding further strategic depth, the Ministers of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Food Security, and Budget and Economic Planning are also members, alongside the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness.
Their Mandate
The NEC has given the committee a clear mandate: to rigorously review recommendations from the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee and proposals from the new Ministry of Livestock Development. Crucially, they will also identify states eager to participate and implement these transformative programs.
A Vision for Peace and Prosperity
Vice President Shettima emphasized the profound importance of this initiative, stating that achieving food security is a “moral imperative” for Nigeria. He underscored the need for a “practical, enduring, and nationally accepted resolution to farmer-herder conflicts,” highlighting how mismanagement of these tensions has been a root cause of widespread violence that has disrupted livelihoods and eroded communal trust.
The Vice President lauded President Tinubu’s decision to establish a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, calling it a “bold step” that will integrate the sector fully into the national economy. This move is expected to unlock the immense potential for growth, peace, and prosperity that has long been dormant.
This initiative marks a significant turning point. By repositioning Nigeria’s livestock industry as a modern, peaceful, and profitable driver of development, the nation is building on ongoing efforts to resolve resource-based conflicts and empower rural economies. The path to a more secure and prosperous Nigeria, free from the shadow of farmer-herder conflicts, looks brighter than ever.
Source: Original Article
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