FG Moves to Relocate Cattle from Abuja to Grazing Reserves, Launches National Peace Drive
The Federal Government plans to move Abuja cattle into designated grazing reserves to ease tensions.
Minister Idi Maiha said the initiative aims to boost livestock growth and promote national peace.
The Federal Government says it is collaborating with key stakeholders to hasten the relocation of cattle from Abuja to officially designated grazing reserves.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 16, at the 2025 Media Retreat in Kaduna, the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Maiha, explained that the move is part of a broader effort to improve the livestock sector and reduce tensions. The retreat, themed “Driving Livestock Growth through Strategic Communication,” brought together government and private-sector participants.
Maiha announced that a national peace initiative will soon begin to address farmer-herder clashes across the country. According to him, the campaign will promote harmony among farmers, herders, community leaders, and organized groups.
He added that the ministry recently held extensive discussions with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to finalize plans for moving cattle currently roaming Abuja’s city centre into approved grazing areas. Maiha emphasized that lasting peace must be prioritized nationwide and urged state governments to show firm commitment to rural stability.
Highlighting the toll of violence on security personnel and rural communities, Maiha said the government is coordinating with security agencies to curb armed attacks and safeguard livelihoods. He remarked that the country should aspire to produce and transport large volumes of dairy products rather than deploy armored vehicles, stressing the importance of investment in modern milking technology over military hardware.
Maiha also noted that the livestock sector has the potential to drive wealth creation, generate employment, enhance food security, and stabilize rural communities. Over the next five years, he said, the ministry aims to provide the right policies, programs, and projects to transform the sector into a stronger pillar of the national economy.
