NASS Wants Livestock Minister To Resolve Farmers/Herders Conflict

The Joint Senate and House Committee on Livestock Development has urged the Minister, Alhaji Idi Muktar to address the longstanding farmers-herders conflicts in Nigeria.

They made the call during the minister’s 2026 budget defence, where he allocated N10 billion for capital projects and N1.8 billion for operational costs.

A member of the committee and former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, emphasized the need for the ministry to enhance the livestock sector, mitigate violence, and promote national development.

He urged the Ministry to embark on intensive awareness campaigns about ranching to dispel misconceptions.

Chairman of the joint Committee, Senator Musa Mustapha urged the new Ministry to focus on value chain development, infrastructure, climate change, and empowerment of women and youths.

Also speaking, the Co-Chair of the joint committee, Wale Raji, emphasized the need for adequate funding for the ministry to enable it carry out its mandate in line with the aspiration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also stressed the need for more advocacy and sensitization to enable Nigerians to understand that livestock development is beyond cattle rearing, saying, there are other aspects of livestock such as poultry, piggery, sheep and goats production, among others.

Earlier, the minister in his presentation informed the committee that the ministry budgeted N10 billion for capital expenditures and N1.8 billion for overheads.

He said the capital expenditures which are spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country, are aimed at providing critical infrastructure for the development of the sector.

On accommodation for the ministry, he said an accommodation has been identified and the President has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to renovate and furnish it to enable the ministry move into it.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji