President Bola Tinubu, during the inauguration of a presidential committee dedicated to reforming the livestock industry and addressing recurring clashes between herders and farmers, placed responsibility on his predecessors for their inability to resolve the persistent farmer-herder crisis across Nigeria.

The committee’s establishment followed the submission of a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria….CONTINUE READING

Speaking at the event in Abuja, Tinubu remarked, “The ongoing crisis between herders and farmers is not the fault of the individuals directly involved; rather, it is a failure of leadership to provide timely solutions to their problems. Leadership involves both thoughtful contemplation and proactive action.”

Tinubu also shared his efforts in 2018 to find a resolution to this crisis, which proved elusive at the time. However, he expressed renewed hope that a solution is now within reach, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to covering the land acquisition costs for potential initiatives.

He envisioned that these opportunities could generate gainful employment for veterinary doctors, foster private sector participation, create new educational prospects for herders and their children, and establish medical facilities. This, he stated, presents a transformative opportunity.

He further elaborated on the potential outcomes, saying, “Consider the possibility of producing sufficient milk for our schoolchildren, envision us becoming net exporters of cheese and yogurt, picture the extensive production of leather with the growth of a major Nigerian leather industry, and imagine the establishment of widespread cold storage facilities and job opportunities across the nation. All these possibilities are within our grasp.”

It’s worth noting that President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, succeeding Muhammadu Buhari, who had taken over from Goodluck Jonathan after winning the 2015 presidential election.