President Bola Tinubu pledges to implement ranching and livestock reforms to address farmer-herder conflicts and boost Nigeria’s agricultural economy

President Bola Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to delivering ranching, livestock investment, and agricultural diversification reforms to tackle farmer-herder conflicts and strengthen national security.

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Tinubu spoke at the opening of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

He said the livestock sector’s transformation is critical to Nigeria’s economic and security interests.

“I’m confident that the resolution of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches, and diversification of our agricultural produce. I promise you here, I will play my part. I promise Nigeria that this will be delivered,” the President said.

The remarks build on a December 10, 2025 directive to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to develop a roadmap for nationwide ranching initiatives.

At that Federal Executive Council meeting, Tinubu tasked Shettima with sensitising governors and stakeholders on implementing ranching reforms.

He also directed the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to identify villages and grazing areas suitable for modern ranches.

The NEC, at its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025, inaugurated a Livestock Development Committee chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, with representatives from all six geopolitical zones, to fast-track reforms in ranching and livestock production.

At Monday’s conference, Tinubu also pledged continued efforts to strengthen security forces to combat banditry and terrorism, describing these challenges as economic hindrances.

“To further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry, that I promise you is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you that we will win with determination and resilience,” the President said.

He praised several governors, particularly those of Borno and Katsina states, for defending freedom, liberty, and public welfare.

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The conference, themed Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan,’ brings together state governors, government officials, development partners, and private-sector leaders to discuss fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation, and shared development strategies between federal and state governments.