The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed media reports claiming that open grazing has been banned across the country.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, issued the clarification in a statement by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press & Public Relations, explaining that no such policy currently exists. Instead, he said the government is implementing a phased and well-structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching practices.
According to the minister, Nigeria has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering over 4.5 million hectares, and efforts are underway to revitalise and equip these reserves in collaboration with state governments. The goal, he noted, is to make them functional and conducive for pastoralists and other livestock operators.
Mukhtar emphasised that the transition plan does not involve an immediate ban on open grazing but aims to provide practical alternatives that boost productivity, reduce farmer-herder conflicts, and support a sustainable livestock sector.
He added that pastoralists, like all economic groups, require a structured business environment, and the legally established grazing reserves are intended to serve as designated business premises for livestock activities. The government’s role, he said, is to upgrade these facilities and ensure their proper utilisation.
The Ministry urged Nigerians to disregard misleading reports and rely on verified government communication channels for accurate information on livestock-related policies.
