Why Nigeria Can’t End Open Grazing Overnight — MACBAN

In the face of rising calls to end open grazing across Nigeria, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has warned that the transition cannot happen instantly. National Secretary, Alhaji Bello Aliyu Gotomo, explained that while pastoralists understand the long-term benefits of ranching, the enormous financial and logistical requirements make immediate change unrealistic.

Source: Arise News

Gotomo, speaking during the inauguration of MACBAN’s South East chapter in Enugu, stressed that establishing ranches requires reliable supplies of feed and water — resources that are not yet adequately provided for in most parts of the country. He noted that the government’s recent creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, alongside pasture development initiatives in the FCT, represents progress, but more practical support is needed for herders to embrace modern methods.

He acknowledged that anti-open grazing laws in some states have struggled with enforcement because pastoralism is not only an economic activity but also deeply woven into culture and tradition. “Ranching is capital-intensive,” he said. “You can’t expect herders to abandon their way of life overnight, just as you can’t expect smallholder farmers to suddenly adopt mechanized farming.”

According to Gotomo, dwindling grazing reserves due to population growth and urban expansion make the need for alternatives urgent. MACBAN, he added, is working with communities, traditional rulers, and authorities to gradually control cattle movements, improve productivity, and encourage education among pastoralist children. For him, livestock is a vital national resource deserving the same level of investment as other sectors. “If we build infrastructure for aviation, why not for livestock production?” he asked.