The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, in collaboration with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme, has intensified efforts to address farmer-herder conflicts by convening a high-level workshop to refine its five-year strategic plan.
According to a statement on Friday, the workshop was held on Thursday and brought together key stakeholders to develop inclusive and conflict-sensitive strategies aimed at fostering stability and productivity in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Representatives from government ministries, peace commissions, civil society, academia, and international development partners participated in discussions to enhance mediation mechanisms, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and grievance management in the sector.
Declaring the event open, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stressed the urgency of structured conflict resolution frameworks to address insecurity challenges in the sector.
“This sector of the economy faces conflicts and insecurity, which have contributed to restricted access to key lands, water, and grassland resources across the country,” he said.
He further reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to security and stability, stating, “For this reason, some of the pillars of the Ministry’s five-year strategic plan are peace, security, and social cohesion.”
Also speaking, the Head of Governance and Stability at the British High Commission in Abuja, Magdalene Lagu, reiterated the UK’s commitment to Nigeria’s stability and the importance of continued collaboration under the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnerships.
According to the statement, the workshop focused on refining FMLD’s Peacebuilding, Security, and Social Cohesion Pillar, ensuring that initiatives remain practical, conflict-sensitive, and aligned with local realities.
Participants identified strategies to improve dispute resolution, coordinate livestock migration, and strengthen trust between farming and pastoralist communities.
Team Leader of SPRiNG, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, highlighted the significance of the engagement, describing it as a step towards sustainable peace.
“The success of this workshop is a testament to the collaborative spirit among stakeholders committed to promoting peace and resilience in Nigeria’s livestock sector. We are optimistic that the outcomes from this workshop will significantly contribute to crafting effective interventions that will mitigate conflicts and promote socio-economic development,” he said.
The statement explained that SPRiNG, a four-year programme (2024-2028) funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is focused on strengthening institutional capacity for conflict management, boosting public confidence in key institutions, and creating greater incentives for peace.
“The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FLMD) was established in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu to initiate reforms required to transform the livestock sector to promote economic growth and address the conflict between herders and farmers over land, pasture and water access.
“The Ministry has initiated the development of a five-year strategic plan and will play a leading role in implementing the 10-National Livestock Development Plan prepared by the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development,” the statement added.
