The Centre for Drylands Agriculture at Bayero University Kano, located in North West Nigeria, is set to host the 5th International Conference on Drylands, themed “Promoting Sustainability and Resilience of Rangelands: Present and Future Outlooks.”
Speaking to journalists in Kano, the Centre’s Director, Professor Jibrin Jibrin, stated that the conference will provide a vital platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on the sustainable management of rangelands—extensive ecosystems that support millions of people across Africa and other dryland regions globally.
He noted that the event will bring together experts from academia, government, civil society, development organizations, the private sector, and pastoralist communities to identify and discuss innovative strategies for enhancing the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of rangelands, especially in the context of climate change, land degradation, conflict, and shifting socio-economic dynamics.
Professor Jibrin explained that the theme was chosen in response to growing concerns over unsustainable land use, desertification, and violent conflicts stemming from competition over natural resources.
He emphasized that rangelands, which make up more than 40% of the Earth’s land surface, support over 500 million people—many of whom rely on livestock and mixed farming systems for their livelihoods.
In sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the Sahel and dry savannah zones, these landscapes are vital for providing forage, regulating water cycles, conserving biodiversity, and sequestering carbon. However, they are under increasing threat due to climate variability.
According to Professor Jibrin, the three-day conference, scheduled for 6th to 8th of the month, aims to address the urgent need for rethinking how rangelands are governed, used, and restored.
He noted that the conference will present cutting-edge research, indigenous practices, institutional innovations, and policy frameworks that can drive transformation in dryland areas.
Among the conference objectives are: sharing advanced scientific findings and real-world experiences on rangeland health, productivity, and management; fostering dialogue among researchers, policymakers, pastoralists, and civil society on integrated governance approaches; and identifying strategies to enhance climate resilience, food and livelihood security, and peace in dryland communities.
Additionally, the event will work toward strengthening regional partnerships for research, policy development, and capacity building in rangeland ecosystems.
Nigeria’s Minister for Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, is expected to be among the key discussants at the event.
