A bill aimed at restricting the movement of herders and their cattle across Nigerian states and promoting the establishment of ranches has passed its second reading in the Senate.
The proposed legislation, officially titled “A bill to establish a national animal husbandry and ranches commission for the regulation, management, preservation and control of ranches throughout Nigeria; and for connected purposes, 2024,” seeks to ban open grazing and confine herders to their states of origin.
Senator Titus Zam, who represents the Benue North-West Senatorial District and is a member of the All Progressives Congress, sponsored the bill.
He expressed concern over the escalating conflicts between herders and farmers, which have become increasingly violent across the country.
Senator Zam emphasized that ranching is the only viable method for cattle breeding in Nigeria, advocating for a transition from traditional livestock management to modern, safer, and healthier practices.
He clarified that the bill would facilitate the establishment of ranches in the herders’ states of origin, without imposing such establishments on states or communities where herders are not residents.
Urging his colleagues in the Senate to take decisive action, Senator Zam highlighted the severe impact of the clashes between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders, likening the situation to a war with significant negative consequences for the country.
He stressed the responsibility of the Senate, as representatives of the people, to address this issue legislatively by banning open grazing, in alignment with international best practices in animal husbandry.
Senator Zam pointed out that previous efforts to address the herder-farmer conflicts have often been undermined by ethnic and political biases, leading to resistance from the public.
He called on the 10th Senate to make a historic decision to resolve the violent conflicts, which, if left unchecked, could result in greater loss of life and property than the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970.
He declared that the time has come to end the cycle of violence and adopt modern practices in animal husbandry, including the prohibition of open grazing, which he described as outdated, dangerous, and burdensome.
Furthermore, he stated that herders must seek the approval of their host communities before establishing ranches to ensure peaceful coexistence.
