FG To Relocate Cattle From Abuja City Centre To Grazing Reserves

The Federal Government has announced plans to work with key stakeholders to fast-track the relocation of cattle roaming freely in Abuja city centre to designated grazing reserves.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2025 Media Retreat in Kaduna, themed “Driving Livestock Growth Through Strategic Communication.”

Dr. Maiha revealed that the ministry would soon launch a nationwide peace campaign designed to address the persistent clashes between farmers and herders across the country.

“In a few weeks, the ministry will embark on a national peace campaign to achieve sustainable peace between farmers and herders, organised groups, and communities across the country,” he said.

The minister added that the government had recently engaged the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of efforts to move cattle out of the Abuja city centre into designated reserves.

“On Friday, we had a robust engagement with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of our moves to relocate animals roaming the city centre in Abuja to grazing reserves. We need peace. We must give ourselves peace,” he stated.

Dr. Maiha emphasised that the cooperation of state governments was vital to achieving lasting peace in rural areas, stressing that stability in farming communities was crucial for food security, job creation, and national development.

“We cannot keep on losing members of our armed forces to bad elements. We are working with all the security agencies to silence the guns. Our focus is to have a country with truckloads of milk and not armoured personnel carriers. Milking machines should replace machine guns,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of the sector, the minister described livestock development as a major driver of wealth creation, employment, food security, and rural stability. He explained that the ministry’s five-year priority would focus on implementing the right policies, programmes, and projects to transform the livestock industry.

Speaking further, Dr. Maiha underscored the role of effective communication in promoting the sector.

“Following this retreat, we expect you to leverage your skills to further amplify the narrative of the livestock sector. We appreciate the influence of your profession and hope you will continue to use your pen strategically and positively in reporting on the sector. Your reporting has been instrumental in shaping public understanding of our policies and influencing the responses of farmers, herders, investors, and other stakeholders,” he told journalists at the retreat.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, represented by the Director of Ruminants and Monogastric Development, Dr. Victor Egbon, also highlighted the media’s role in shaping public perception of government initiatives.

According to her, communication in the livestock sector goes beyond passing information, as it plays a central role in building trust, shaping perceptions, and inspiring action.

“Media play a critical role in interpreting policies, reporting on developments, and conveying the realities of events, activities, interventions, and programmes to Nigerians and the global community. Through this strategic partnership, we will address the challenges inherent in the sector and explore the abundant opportunities available. This retreat aims to enhance your proficiency in covering the livestock sector, elevate your work, and strengthen our partnership,” she said.