Federal Government Debunks Open Grazing Ban, Says Transition To Ranching Gradual

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha

The Nigerian Government has clarified that it has not enacted a nationwide ban on open grazing, explaining that the country is instead moving gradually toward adopting modern ranching systems.

In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, the Ministry said the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, confirmed that no such policy has been announced.

The statement read, “Instead, the government is implementing a gradual, structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems.”

Uchechukwu said the Minister highlighted that Nigeria currently has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering over 4.5 million hectares.

The Federal Government is collaborating with state governments to revitalize and equip these reserves, making them conducive for pastoralists and other livestock operators.

“The transition plan does not abolish open grazing overnight but provides viable alternatives that support productivity, reduce conflicts, and promote a sustainable livestock ecosystem,” the statement said.

The minister emphasized that pastoralists, like other economic groups, require a structured business environment.

“The grazing reserves provided by law are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities. Our responsibility is to upgrade these reserves and facilitate their proper utilisation,” he said.

The Ministry urged the public to disregard misleading reports and rely on official government communication channels for accurate information on livestock development policies.

In the past, the government launched the National Livestock Transformation Plan, aiming to modernize livestock production by encouraging ranching instead of open grazing.

The idea was to reduce violent farmer–herder conflicts, improve productivity, and align livestock farming with national economic goals.

Under this plan, the government proposed creating “RUGA” settlements (rural grazing areas) to house herders and their cattle permanently in designated areas. But the RUGA policy became controversial: many state governments, especially in the South, rejected it, citing land rights and security concerns.

In more recent months, the newly re-established Ministry of Livestock Development has emphasized that open grazing should be phased out in favour of ranching, but clarified that this will be a gradual transition, not an immediate nationwide ban.