The Federal Government on Tuesday denied issuing a nationwide ban on open grazing, saying Nigeria is instead undergoing a phased transition to modern ranching.
The clarification came in a statement by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, who said the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, had not announced any such prohibition.
“Instead, the government is implementing a gradual, structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems,” the statement said.
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According to the Ministry, Nigeria has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares. The Federal Government is working with states to revive and equip the reserves so they can function as organised hubs for pastoralists and livestock businesses.
“The transition plan does not abolish open grazing overnight but provides viable alternatives that support productivity, reduce conflicts, and promote a sustainable livestock ecosystem,” Uchechukwu explained.
Maiha emphasised the need to give pastoralists a structured business environment, saying grazing reserves recognised by law would serve as “business premises for all livestock activities” once upgraded.
The Ministry urged citizens to ignore misleading reports and to rely on official communication channels for updates on livestock development.
Nigeria has previously attempted to modernise livestock production through the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which promoted ranching to curb farmer–herder violence and improve productivity. A related initiative, the proposed RUGA settlements, faced widespread pushback — particularly from southern states — over land rights and security concerns.
The newly re-established Ministry of Livestock Development has, in recent months, reiterated that open grazing will eventually be phased out, but stressed that the process will be gradual rather than an immediate nationwide ban.
