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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Pastoralist organisations from across the country have declared their support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, while thanking him for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and pledging to back the ongoing reforms in the sector.
The declaration was made on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at a one-day grand national thank-you rally held at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, Kaduna State.
The rally was organised by a coalition of pastoralist groups and attended by representatives of several state governments, livestock farmers, ranchers, processors, marketers, commodity associations and other support groups.
The event drew representatives of several state governments, livestock farmers, ranchers, processors, marketers, commodity associations and other support groups.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the creation of the ministry in July 2024 as a historic milestone that finally gave the sector dedicated federal attention after decades of advocacy.
“Livestock farmers, pastoralists, ranchers, dairy farmers, livestock traders, dealers, transporters, butchers, processors and marketers, this is your own ministry. Take it, own it and use it to improve your livelihood, build peace, harmony and shared prosperity,” he said.
Maiha highlighted ongoing interventions in veterinary infrastructure, animal disease control, pasture and fodder development, livestock breeding, dairy production and investment promotion.
He disclosed that seven modern veterinary hospitals had been completed, while 14 others were at various stages of development.
He urged livestock associations to work with the ministry and state authorities to identify members’ needs, address production and market constraints, and develop practical proposals for improved service delivery. He also called for stronger collaboration to prevent farmer-herder conflicts through dialogue, responsible land and water management, and peaceful dispute resolution.
On his part, the Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Murtala Mohammed Dabo, commended the President for creating the ministry and praised the minister’s efforts to implement livestock reforms.
He cited state-level interventions, including solar-powered water facilities for pastoralist communities, livestock vaccination, artificial insemination, pasture development and improvements to abattoirs.
“Mr. President has told us, livestock is not conflict, livestock is wealth. Pastoralists are not a problem; pastoralists are partners… So, Mr. President, we deeply appreciate your gesture in creating the Ministry of Livestock and this is a demonstration that come 2027, by the grace of God, it will just be a knockout,” the governor said.
The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the ministry’s creation as the fulfilment of a decades-long demand by pastoralist communities.
He said years of neglect of the livestock sector had contributed to persistent farmer-herder tensions and other security challenges, including cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry, which, according to him, had affected both farmers and pastoralists.
“The Ministry was created specifically to address the issue of peacebuilding, and that is what the Minister is doing. Peacebuilding is our concern. It is not only the concern of the farmers; it is also our concern,” he said.
Other groups pledge support
The National President of the Miyetti Allah Pulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA), Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, commended the minister for his commitment to advancing the sector.
He described him as a leader actively pursuing reforms and urged continued support for the administration.
The President of the Federation of Agricultural and Commodity Associations of Nigeria, Mr Sherif Balogun, who represented over 65 commodity associations, also backed the administration.
He cited improved productivity and emerging business opportunities for agricultural exporters and processors.
Other pastoralist representatives described the ministry’s establishment as the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration.
They pledged continued support for the administration, while calling for sustained efforts to protect livestock assets, improve pastoralists’ livelihoods and expand economic opportunities across the value chain.
In a symbolic gesture at the close of the rally, the coalition presented President Tinubu with a traditional Fulani hat as a token of appreciation for establishing the ministry and giving livestock development a stronger voice in national policymaking. The minister received the gift on behalf of the president.
