₦airaland Forum

Despite the 2016 ban on open grazing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), cattle still roam major roads—illustrating a chronic failure to enforce the law .

The truth is, even someone as assertive as Wike understands just how explosive and divisive the enforcement of anti-grazing laws can be. That’s why, despite the existence of such laws, enforcement often stalls—because the police and security agencies are constrained by the volatile and deeply sensitive nature of our environment. The complexities of religion, ethnicity, and regional politics make it more than just a legal matter. As I will soon outline, the realities on the ground require more than legislation—they demand wisdom, strategy, and a nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s unique sociopolitical landscape.

The reason? Enforcement faces two explosive realities:

Political and Economic Clout of Herders
Cattle owners are backed by powerful Northern elites and politicians. Weak political will means grazing bans are rendered toothless when influential figures covertly protect or condone violations

Religious Polarization
The issue turns incendiary when labeled as a "Christian farmers vs. Muslim herders" conflict. Enforcers must tread cautiously to avoid backlash from conservative religious constituencies—turning a governance challenge into a firestorm of identity politics.

Threading sofisticatedly
That's why even Wike in abuja has been compelled to "move softly." Enforcement isn’t merely about barking orders to law enforcement—it’s navigating a minefield of economic interests and sectarian sentiment.

Anyone who genuinely believes that the civil enforcement of anti-grazing laws—by police or local task forces—is a feasible solution in today’s Nigeria is either dangerously naive or wilfully ignorant. This isn’t just a policy debate; it’s a tinderbox of ethnic, religious, and regional tension waiting to explode.

Forcing such laws without tact, dialogue, or strategic engagement is not enforcement—it’s provocation. It’s the policy equivalent of pouring petrol on a raging inferno and calling it fire control. In a country where identities are politicized and trust in state institutions is threadbare, this approach is not just unwise—it’s suicidal.
The Bottom Line.

A grazing ban without political backing, inclusive dialogue, and strong, depoliticized enforcement will remain largely symbolic.
Herein Why Enforcing Anti-Grazing Laws in Nigeria Is a Volatile Tightrope.

Is Nigeria the only country with cattle? More or less all countries have cattle and they don't allow open grazing. Many have more cattle per Capita than Nigeria and less land

What is the big deal in putting cattle in one place with water and then going around to get feed for them. I think it is simple and straight forward

lawani:
Is Nigeria the only country with cattle? More or less all countries have cattle and they don't allow open grazing. Many have more cattle per Capita than Nigeria and less land

Kenya,Uganda, Tanzania, south Sudan , Sudan, and Niger, Burkina, Ghana and Mali have the same issues.

Infact in Uganda at one point the army had to be on permanent alert in one part of the country because one cattle herder tribe had a rite of passage for it's young men when they would go and raid neighbouring tribes for cattle. Violence results.

Masai people of Kenya and Tanzania believe that every cow in the world belongs to them. You can guess the end result of such thought process.

South Sudan? Cattle herders have been armed for years..with AK.

IT DOES not excuse the Fulani. Infact , it is time they embraced ranching . Roaming around with cows can't work today..

lawani:
Is Nigeria the only country with cattle? More or less all countries have cattle and they don't allow open grazing. Many have more cattle per Capita than Nigeria and less land

You are right but those countries were able to achieve that through government interventions in forms of mortgages, loans, subsidies, tax and tariff exemptions and agricultural designated zones.

If we try to replicate same in Nigeria, the tribalist and religious bigots will be let loose.

RUGA was a good initiative, but it was politicized and no other diplomatic solution was presented.

CoronaVirusPro:
You are right but those countries were able to achieve that through government interventions in forms of mortgages, loans, subsidies, tax and tariff exemptions and agricultural designated zones.

If we try to replicate same in Nigeria, the tribalist and religious bigots will be let loose.

RUGA was a good initiative, but it was politicized and no other diplomatic solution was presented.

Ruga problem was that there were proposed sites in states that had issues with herdsmen crisis.

Yeah as a result many people saw land grab. With federal government backing.

nairalanda1:
Kenya,Uganda, Tanzania, south Sudan , Sudan, and Niger, Burkina, Ghana and Mali have the same issues.

Infact in Uganda at one point the army had to be on permanent alert in one part of the country because one cattle herder tribe had a rite of passage for it's young men when they would go and raid neighbouring tribes for cattle. Violence results.

Masai people of Kenya and Tanzania believe that every cow in the world belongs to them. You can guess the end result of such thought process.

South Sudan? Cattle herders have been armed for years..with AK.

IT DOES not excuse the Fulani. Infact , it is time they embraced ranching . Roaming around with cows can't work today..

Some countries might have similar issues but we don't get to hear of killings as is common in Nigeria. Then Britain, Australia Brazil, US, India, China etc all have huge number of cattle and it doesn't cause problems in those countries

CoronaVirusPro:
You are right but those countries were able to achieve that through government interventions in forms of mortgages, loans, subsidies, tax and tariff exemptions and agricultural designated zones.

If we try to replicate same in Nigeria, the tribalist and religious bigots will be let loose.

RUGA was a good initiative, but it was politicized and no other diplomatic solution was presented.

There is no need for government to guarantee land for anybody. You just need somewhere to put one thousand head maximum then have logistics to get them fodder. In the US most ranches are not more than 1000 heads of cattle. That unit will employ graduates

It's already a volatile situation, people are being killed like chickens, if anti grazing is not enforced, I fear civil war will happen. This is the quiet before the storm. The outbursts and chaos will happen suddenly, people are fed up already.

nairalanda1:
Ruga problem was that there were proposed sites in states that had issues with herdsmen crisis.

Yeah as a result many people saw land grab. With federal government backing.

That’s is it. When the government is not being trusted, such will happen.

They never looked into it and just shot it down out of hate.

Nowhere the government funds agriculture directly. It’s mostly through banks. If a state can designate a space for me, and I have access to tap into loan to purchase or lease that space, where my feeds, drugs, seeds and other necessity are tax exempt, then I will be ready to face repercussions of my cattle grazing outside designated territories.

The path to excuses will be completely cut off and that will also help law enforcement officers to take swift action during violations.

If you camp hearers in Ikeja, you definitely know any herder with cattle’s found in Ojota is a criminal. Isolation and confinement is the best way to go but no one buys it.

They will rather keep flogging the issue with words than to take action.

lawani:
There is no need for government to guarantee land for anybody. You just need somewhere to put one thousand head maximum then have logistics to get them fodder. In the US most ranches are not more than 1000 heads of cattle. That unit will employ graduates

Land is not free anywhere. In same US, you have agricultural lines and easy access to farm loans to acquire and start business.

You cannot buy land just anywhere for ranching, and most of those massive acres you see are not purchased outrightly. They are backed up by mortgages and those farmers get “MAD” government incentives.

CoronaVirusPro:
Land is not free anywhere. In same US, you have agricultural lines and easy access to farm loans to acquire and start business.

You cannot buy land just anywhere for ranching, and most of those massive acres you see are not purchased outrightly. They are backed up by mortgages and those farmers get “MAD” government incentives.

Why not just anywhere?. It can be anywhere with borehole. Just have the number of cattle you can manage. In the UK a whole family might have one or two hundred or less and be selling milk and beef while using a SUV to pack fodder. It is not a difficult business

CoronaVirusPro:
You are right but those countries were able to achieve that through government interventions in forms of mortgages, loans, subsidies, tax and tariff exemptions and agricultural designated zones.

If we try to replicate same in Nigeria, the tribalist and religious bigots will be let loose.

RUGA was a good initiative, but it was politicized and no other diplomatic solution was presented.

Bro ask your fellow brothers in Niger and Chad, even the Sahara desert is big enough to hold all the cows there and then create a salt water desalination system to remove salt from the water and use it for irrigation and hydration for the herdsmen and their cattle.

Carry the RUGA to the Sahara and do it there, but no Igbo or Yoruba man who knows his ancestral lineage would allow anyone sneak into his community in pretense of herding cattle and then try to settle in their ancestral land, if that one happen all this situation wey una dey see for Congo na small. Don't forget what Fulani are experiencing in Mali and the entire Mali population (21 million) no reach half of Igbo or Yoruba inside and outside Nigeria. Give peace a chance or else, hmmm

lawani:
Why not just anywhere?. It can be anywhere with borehole. Just have the number of cattle you can manage. In the UK a whole family might have one or two hundred or less and be selling milk and beef while using a SUV to pack fodder. It is not a difficult business

Please confirm your statement and get back.

You cannot buy land anywhere and personally designate it as a farm. Lands and areas have codes that state what can be done on it.

You can’t even own just 1 cow in a residential area irrespective of your land size. The land has to be designated as agricultural and home stead.

Mrchippychappy:
Bro ask your fellow brothers in Niger and Chad, even the Sahara desert is big enough to hold all the cows there and then create a salt water desalination system to remove salt from the water and use it for irrigation and hydration for the herdsmen and their cattle.

Carry the RUGA to the Sahara and do it there, but no Igbo or Yoruba man who knows his ancestral lineage would allow anyone sneak into his community in pretense of herding cattle and then try to settle in their ancestral land, if that one happen all this situation wey una dey see for Congo na small. Don't forget what Fulani are experiencing in Mali and the entire Mali population (21 million) no reach half of Igbo or Yoruba inside and outside Nigeria. Give peace a chance or else, hmmm

You just buttressed my point. Read what you composed and be sincere with yourself if it makes sense.

Take all the cattle’s in Nigeria to the Sahara desert and ship from there to 46 states.

Does it sound economically viable?
Do you have the infrastructure to back up such venture?

If I wanted to sound insane too, I can say we slaughter all the cattle’s in Nigeria and start importing beef.

Cows can be seen everywhere in the FCT. From Apo to Gudu, From Asokoro to Guzape. From Jahi to Maitama from Gwarinpa to kado and life camp just name it they are there. In the Federal Cattle Territory.

CoronaVirusPro:
You just buttressed my point. Read what you composed and be sincere with yourself if it makes sense.

Take all the cattle’s in Nigeria to the Sahara desert and ship from there to 46 states.

Does it sound economically viable?
Do you have the infrastructure to back up such venture?

If I wanted to sound insane too, I can say we slaughter all the cattle’s in Nigeria and start importing beef.

I gave a solution, that is just one solution, there are many others and while you might say this sounds insane, I would argue that the true insane part of all this is allowing a genocidal blood thirsty group wipe out villages and chase hundreds of thousands from their village all because of cow meat, does that sound like a good deal to you? Is that logical? Tell your Fulani brothers to seek other options that works for them but trying to land grab by manipulation would end terribly badly, so bad that the events that would take place would be spoken about for the next hundred years. Give peace a chance

CoronaVirusPro:
Please confirm your statement and get back.

You cannot buy land anywhere and personally designate it as a farm. Lands and areas have codes that state what can be done on it.

You can’t even own just 1 cow in a residential area irrespective of your land size. The land has to be designated as agricultural and home stead.

I know you have to obey planning laws but there is agricultural land in all states and all cattle can stay in the south if that is needed. There are vast forests in the south but the farmers will have to liaise with the communities not expect government to guarantee them land. Their problem is not land. The problem is they don't want to stop doing it the old way but even in this Nigeria many cattle owners don't roam their cattle all over the country. They have ranches. Let the others learn from them. I once heard VP Atiku say he has over a thousand heads that are ranched
Cattle is not a small business and if other livestock owners are not roaming their livestock and are competitive why is it difficult for herders? Cattle eats hay and it is not difficult to gather hay to wherever your ranch is located. If you are rearing pigs or chicken you have to buy feed.

lawani:
Some countries might have similar issues but we don't get to hear of killings as is common in Nigeria. Then Britain, Australia Brazil, US, India, China etc all have huge number of cattle and it doesn't cause problems in those countries

Killings happen there live. As bad as Nigeria

Shey you didn't see where i said that cattle herders in south Sudan are all armed?

Mrchippychappy:
I gave a solution, that is just one solution, there are many others and while you might say this sounds insane, I would argue that the true insane part of all this is allowing a genocidal blood thirsty group wipe out villages and chase hundreds of thousands from their village all because of cow meat, does that sound like a good deal to you? Is that logical? Tell your Fulani brothers to seek other options that works for them but trying to land grab by manipulation would end terribly badly, so bad that the events that would take place would be spoken about for the next hundred years. Give peace a chance

Are all herders criminals?

Are you aware farmers and herders clash is as old as Nigeria?

No government has been able to curb it because all is not willing to take responsibility. They flog the issue the words.

In 2025, No one can take your land when their are proper documentation and agreement. I cannot lease a land to you for 60 years and it will become yours. Likewise, I can still sell a land to you and include clauses that prohibits certain activities and violations.

State governments are not dummy’s. They have powers to set up agency that will monitor agricultural designated zones, tag animals and keep records.

CoronaVirusPro:
You just buttressed my point. Read what you composed and be sincere with yourself if it makes sense.

Take all the cattle’s in Nigeria to the Sahara desert and ship from there to 46 states.

Does it sound economically viable?
Do you have the infrastructure to back up such venture?

If I wanted to sound insane too, I can say we slaughter all the cattle’s in Nigeria and start importing beef.

Southern and North central legislators and politicians proposed ranches in the North and the MACBAN and the legislators of Fulani extraction overwhelmingly refused and still remain adamant on trying to sneak RUGA into the ancestral land of other Nigerians, what exactly is the plan behind this? If it was really about cattle then the proposal for ranching should have been welcomed with celebrations but no it was declined overwhelmingly, so I would ask again, what exactly are the Fulani looking for? Give peace a chance, the next push for this RUGA or whatever name the Fulani choose to repackage this poison chalice as, would be welcome with excessive aggression.

nairalanda1:
Killings happen there live. As bad as Nigeria

Shey you didn't see where i said that cattle herders in south Sudan are all armed?

Then we have to learn from other countries where there are no killings

CoronaVirusPro:
Are all herders criminals?

Are you aware farmers and herders clash is as old as Nigeria?

No government has been able to curb it because all is not willing to take responsibility. They flog the issue the words.

In 2025, No one can take your land when their are proper documentation and agreement. I cannot lease a land to you for 60 years and it will become yours. Likewise, I can still sell a land to you and include clauses that prohibits certain activities and violations.

State governments are not dummy’s. They have powers to set up agency that will monitor agricultural designated zones, tag animals and keep records.

I know a lot of people across the middle belt and have people from Yoruba and Igbo extraction outside Nigeria and these people have it on good authority that their kinsmen across all works of life in Nigeria, even in the armed forces, these people are fed up and sick and tired of folding their hands. If the Fulani are wise, they would see the calls for ranching not as a sign of weakness but as a sign of support from other regions because right now, the only place where the Fulani still has some allies who have compassion for them is in Nigeria, The last thing the Fulani want is a situation where they are not wanted in Nigeria and the are also not wanted in neighbouring countries like Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso. If the Fulani don't embrace peace and modernisation, I guarantee 100% that West Africa would be the face of the next humanitarian crisis, one that would make the situation in Gaza look like a child's play and one that the Fulani might very well not recover from.

You can ranch one million heads of cattle in Osun alone even more and be getting hay from all over the country

lawani:
Then we have to learn from other countries where there are no killings

Yes, like the USA.

Ranching and railways to transport the cows to market and export . Active dairy industry where milking is done by machines ( tho allegedly zebu cows aren't good milk cows)

Infact in Nigeria by the 1960s we was transporting cows by rail. Of course that ended when the rail went bottom up

lawani:
I know you have to obey planning laws but there is agricultural land in all states and all cattle can stay in the south if that is needed. There are vast forests in the south but the farmers will have to liaise with the communities not expect government to guarantee them land. Their problem is not land. The problem is they don't want to stop doing it the old way but even in this Nigeria many cattle owners don't roam their cattle all over the country. They have ranches. Let the others learn from them. I once heard VP Atiku say he has over a thousand heads that are ranched
Cattle is not a small business and if other livestock owners are not roaming their livestock and are competitive why is it difficult for herders? Cattle eats hay and it is not difficult to gather hay to wherever your ranch is located. If you are rearing pigs or chicken you have to buy feed.

The big shots in the business don’t roam their cattle’s and why criminals cannot hide under that umbrella. Now, that tells you that, of other herders are giving such olive branch yo be confined and run their activities, criminals among them will have no where to hide.

It’s 2025. No one is taking a land a land you leased or sold with clauses. The land owners don’t even need to do anything. We have reputable real estate companies and legal firm that can draft a law binding agreement.

It’s 2025 for God sake. How do you convince me that you will take a land I leased to you.

These sentiments is what has kept the criminals to thrive for over 5 decades and till date, nothing still has been done about it.

Same measures don’t yield different results.

nairalanda1:
Yes, like the USA.

Ranching and railways to transport the cows to market and export . Active dairy industry where milking is done by machines ( tho allegedly zebu cows aren't good milk cows)

Yes and despite all the problems in Nigeria beef is not cheaper than other livestock that have to be fed with money. Cattle eats free food. It is therefore better to ranch them and spend money to get feed to them

Mrchippychappy:
I know a lot of people across the middle belt and have people from Yoruba and Igbo extraction outside Nigeria and these people have it on good authority that their kinsmen across all works of life in Nigeria, even in the armed forces, these people are fed up and sick and tired of folding their hands. If the Fulani are wise, they would see the calls for ranching not as a sign of weakness but as a sign of support from other regions because right now, the only place where the Fulani still has some allies who have compassion for them is in Nigeria, The last thing the Fulani want is a situation where they are not wanted in Nigeria and the are also not wanted in neighbouring countries like Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso. If the Fulani don't embrace peace and modernisation, I guarantee 100% that West Africa would be the face of the next humanitarian crisis, one that would make the situation in Gaza look like a child's play and one that the Fulani might very well not recover from.

Let me correct another narrative of yours is wrong and people have accepted it to be true. All cattle herders are not Fulani’s. It is just a general false perception that they are all Fulani’s. Many Northern tribes are in the trade including Hausa’s.

Why should cows be treated any differently from Pigs or Rams by the law? We have deep problem of hatred and disregard.

CoronaVirusPro:
The big shots in the business don’t roam their cattle’s and why criminals cannot hide under that umbrella. Now, that tells you that, of other herders are giving such olive branch yo be confined and run their activities, criminals among them will have no where to hide.

It’s 2025. No one is taking a land a land you leased or sold with clauses. The land owners don’t even need to do anything. We have reputable real estate companies and legal firm that can draft a law binding agreement.

It’s 2025 for God sake. How do you convince me that you will take a land I leased to you.

These sentiments is what has kept the criminals to thrive for over 5 decades and till date, nothing still has been done about it.

Same measures don’t yield different results.

You don't seem to understand that what the cattle herders want are things like grazing route, grazing reserves, right to water and etc. How much land do you need to put 1000 cows? Their problem is that they don't want to try new ways. They are used to the archaic ways. However there are ranches in the country already and the challenge is to make all the Bororo embrace ranching so as to stop the killings.
If they want land for ranches they will surely get it without any government input

CoronaVirusPro:
Let me correct another narrative of yours is wrong and people have accepted it to be true. All cattle herders are not Fulani’s. It is just a general false perception that they are all Fulani’s. Many Northern tribes are in the trade including Hausa’s.

Even southerners are involved too but the majority are Fulani

lawani:
You don't seem to understand that what the cattle herders want are things like grazing route, grazing reserves, right to water and etc. How much land do you need to put 1000 cows? Their problem is that they don't want to try new ways. They are used to the archaic ways. However there are ranches in the country already and the challenge is to make all the Bororo embrace ranching so as to stop the killings.
If they want land for ranches they will surely get it without any government input

For you to effective laws to stop open grazing, you need justifications for such actions. If as giver of Ogun state with such enormous land mass, if I am able to implement and extend such gestures to herders, then I believe I will be justified to confiscate and use wandering cattle’s to feed the prison inmates and schools.

Northern elders or what do you call their association cannot come for me in such instance. I will be justified to enforce strict laws with no shortcuts.

Before my government slaughters 1000 cows, you will find all in designated zones. You just need a justification to enforce such laws. That justification is what the government does not have now.