FG Pushes to Clear Abuja Streets: Relocating Urban Cattle to Grazing Reserves in Bid for Peace
Abuja, September 16, 2025 — In a bustling capital where traffic jams already test patience, the sight of herds of cattle weaving through highways has long been a flashpoint for frustration and conflict. Now, the Federal Government is stepping in with a firm directive: Get those animals off the streets and back to designated grazing reserves. Announced amid a media retreat in Kaduna, the move signals a broader push to curb farmer-herder clashes that have plagued Nigeria for years, starting right in the heart of power.
Ministerial Mandate: No More Urban Grazing in Abuja
Dr. Idi Maiha, Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, laid it out plainly on Tuesday at the 2025 Media Retreat in Kaduna, themed “Driving Livestock Growth through Strategic Communication.” Speaking to journalists, Maiha revealed that his ministry is fast-tracking the relocation of cattle roaming Abuja’s city center, in collaboration with key stakeholders like the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). “On Friday, we had a robust engagement with MACBAN as part of our moves to relocate animals roaming the city centre in Abuja to grazing reserves,” he said, emphasizing that no cows should be wandering urban areas in search of pasture.
The initiative builds on a recent roundtable dialogue chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad III, which brought together pastoral leaders to enforce the shift toward ranches. Maiha stressed urgency: “All the animals roaming Abuja city centre will have to be relocated to the grazing reserves.” It’s a test case for nationwide enforcement, with the government urging all cattle rearers to comply and move their herds to safer, designated spots.
Roots in Conflict: Tackling Farmer-Herder Tensions Head-On
This isn’t just about tidying up Abuja—it’s a direct response to the deadly farmer-herder clashes that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and beyond. Open grazing in urban and farmlands has fueled disputes over resources, especially as climate change and population growth squeeze available pasture. Maiha highlighted the need for peace, announcing a national campaign in the coming weeks to foster sustainable harmony between farmers, herders, ethnic groups, and communities. “We need peace. We must give ourselves peace,” he urged, framing the relocation as a step toward lasting resolution.
Experts see promise here. The minister’s approach aligns with long-standing calls from groups like MACBAN for better infrastructure in reserves, potentially reducing nomadic movements that spark violence. Yet, implementation will be key—past efforts have faltered due to logistics and resistance from herders facing relocation costs.
Bigger Vision: Modernizing Reserves for a Sustainable Future
The Abuja push ties into grander plans to overhaul Nigeria’s livestock sector. Just days ago, the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to solarize 417 grazing reserves nationwide, turning them into modern “Renewed Hope Livestock Villages.” These hubs will feature earth dams, pasture cultivation, schools, health centers, and veterinary clinics—not just for cattle but also pigs, goats, and sheep farmers.
Maiha envisions electrified reserves enabling year-round fodder production via irrigation, cutting cattle rustling and boosting food security. REA’s Executive Director, Engr. Umar A. Umar, praised the global-standard solar mini-grids for reliability. Pilot projects will scale up, aligning with climate-smart goals and sedentary ranching to anchor pastoral communities.
Media’s Role: From Stigma to Spotlight on Solutions
At the Kaduna retreat, Maiha called on journalists to pivot narratives from conflict stigma to sector enlightenment. “Media play a critical role in interpreting policies… and conveying the realities,” he said, aiming to highlight opportunities in livestock growth. The event, organized by the ministry, seeks to build proficiency in covering these stories, fostering partnerships for better reporting.
As Nigeria grapples with food insecurity and ethnic divides, this cattle relocation could be a turning point—or another policy on paper. Will herders buy in, or will urban streets stay clogged? The coming weeks, with the peace campaign rollout, will tell. For a nation at the crossroads of tradition and progress, getting it right means more than moving cows—it means moving toward unity.