President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced his administration is considering the establishment of cattle ranches in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a practical solution to the long-standing and often deadly conflicts between farmers and herders. The proposal, made during an official engagement in a rural Abuja community, frames ranching not just as a security measure but as a pathway to economic prosperity for all stakeholders involved.
The remarks were delivered during the commissioning of a new 15-kilometre road connecting the Abuja-Lokoja expressway to the town of Pai in Kwali Area Council. This project is part of a broader infrastructure push to develop underserved rural communities. It was against this backdrop of new development that President Tinubu shared his vision for a peaceful and productive coexistence between farmers and livestock owners.
A Vision to Transform Conflict into Prosperity
While traveling to the event, President Tinubu observed the vast potential of the land and recognized an opportunity to address the root causes of the farmer-herder crisis. A pledge was made that his government would work directly with local communities to create modern grazing opportunities and facilities.
“On my way here, I observed the need for our great farmers and livestock owners to establish the opportunity for grazing. And do what is necessary. We will help you. We will work with you. We will convert what used to be a liability and a source of conflict to a means of prosperity.”
This statement marks a significant policy direction, aiming to shift the narrative from one of perennial conflict to one of shared economic benefit. For decades, clashes between nomadic pastoralists and settled farming communities have plagued Nigeria, leading to thousands of deaths, the destruction of farms and property, and widespread insecurity, particularly in the country’s Middle Belt and southern regions. The conflicts are often driven by competition over scarce resources like land and water, a situation made worse by climate change and desertification in the north, which forces herders to move south in search of pasture for their cattle.
Previous government attempts to solve the problem, such as proposals for cattle colonies or Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements, have often been met with fierce resistance and suspicion, with many communities fearing a government-backed land grab. President Tinubu’s approach appears to focus on local collaboration and presenting ranching as a voluntary, economically viable alternative to open grazing.
Infrastructure as the Foundation for Peace
The president explicitly linked his ranching proposal to his administration’s wider commitment to rural infrastructure development. The newly commissioned road was hailed as a strategic project that opens up a new corridor for agriculture, commerce, and mobility, which are all essential for lifting rural communities out of poverty and isolation.
The Tinubu administration has already completed or started over 150 kilometres of road projects across the FCT’s six Area Councils since taking office in May 2023. This work is presented as proof of a promise to ensure that development is balanced and inclusive, rather than being concentrated only in the city center. By providing access to once-remote areas, the government hopes to create the necessary conditions for agricultural businesses, including modern ranches, to thrive.
Warning Against “Political Farmers”
In line with the president’s vision, the FCT administration is ready to make land available to “real farmers” to boost food security in the nation’s capital. The new road network has made vast, arable lands accessible for cultivation.
However, a stern warning was issued against opportunists. There will be no land for “political farmers,” who were described as speculators who acquire land with no intention of farming, only to hold onto it until development increases its value, at which point they sell it for a profit. This warning signals an awareness of the potential pitfalls of such a land-allocation program and a commitment to ensuring that the resources are used for their intended purpose of boosting agricultural productivity.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s proposal to establish ranches in the FCT represents a renewed and pragmatic approach to solving one of Nigeria’s most complex and violent internal conflicts. By tying the solution to a broader strategy of infrastructure-led rural development, his administration is aiming to create an economic incentive for peace.
The vision is clear: to transform a landscape of conflict over scarce resources into one of prosperous, modern agriculture where both farmers and herders can thrive. The success of this ambitious plan will ultimately depend on careful and transparent implementation, genuine community engagement, and successfully navigating the political sensitivities that have undermined similar efforts in the past.
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