NEC Unveils Bold Plans As Shettima, Oborevwori, Okpebholo, Others Confront National Challenges

The National Economic Council (NEC), under the leadership of Vice President Kashim Shettima, has underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to transition from traditional livestock practices to modern, more efficient methods.

This resolution was reached during Thursday’s NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, held against the backdrop of escalating violence in states such as Plateau, Benue, and Kwara, where recent attacks have claimed numerous lives.

The meeting was attended by several state governors, including Delta State’s Sheriff Oborevwori—who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)—as well as Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, and Bassey Otu of Cross River. Deputy governors from various states also participated.

Briefing journalists after the session, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri noted that the council strongly advocated for the modernization of Nigeria’s livestock industry.

“The council emphasized that we cannot continue with outdated practices. It is time to embrace modern methods of livestock production,” Diri stated.

He pointed out that the existing methods contribute significantly to the recurring clashes between herders and farmers. To address this, the newly formed Ministry of Livestock Development has introduced the Accelerated Livestock Development and Growth Strategy, which aims to boost the livestock sector’s revenue to between $70 billion and $90 billion by the year 2035.

Conflicts between herders and farmers—often centered around land use—are prevalent in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia earlier blamed “suspected herders” for recent violent incidents in Ukum and Logo local government areas. These tensions frequently carry ethnic and religious undertones, as the herders are predominantly Muslim Fulani, while the farmers are mostly Christian.

In Plateau State alone, over 100 people were killed this month in two separate attacks by unidentified gunmen. The incidents, which claimed more than 50 lives in just two communities, have heightened insecurity in the region. Local officials have described the attacks as acts of “genocide,” alleging that they were “terrorist-sponsored.”