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AWKA – Some Fulani herders under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), have expressed concerns about the apparent exclusion of real pastoralist communities from the planning and decision-making processes of the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development in Nigeria.
The herders accused Abuja-based politicians of hijacking the Ministry.
They appealed to the federal government for urgent intervention.
Their lamentation was contained in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Saturday by the deputy national director of MACBAN and the Sarkin Fulani of Awka, Anambra State, Alahaji Gidado Siddiki
According to Siddiki, “we are beginning to see a pattern where individuals and organizations based in Abuja—many without grassroots membership— dominate the conversation on livestock reform. These actors frequently appear in meetings and on social media, claiming to speak for pastoralists, while the actual pastoral communities remain unaware of these programmes.”
He warned that unless the implementation of the ministry’s programmes, particularly the transition to modern ranching, includes proper sensitization and involvement of pastoralists, the initiative may face the same fate as the abandoned grazing reserve projects of the past.
“If the goal is truly to promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable livestock management, then herders themselves must be informed, educated, and actively involved. It is unjust to prohibit someone from practicing a livelihood he understands without first equipping him with the knowledge and support to transit to a new system,” he added.
