The Federal Government’s digitisation and mapping of grazing reserves and routes across the country have reignited controversy, drawing mixed reactions from stakeholders, including the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The Minister of Livestock Development, Muktar Maiha, disclosed at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja that the government is leveraging technology to digitise grazing routes, animal identification systems, and reserves to curb cattle rustling and enhance livestock management.
He revealed that 417 grazing reserves, covering over five million hectares of land, had been mapped out and would be equipped with infrastructure such as fodder, water resources, veterinary clinics, and schools for herders’ families.
While some agricultural stakeholders welcomed the move, citing its potential to improve livestock management and security, the initiative has also revived debates on the enforcement of open grazing bans in the South.
Afenifere insisted that open grazing is outdated and must be abolished to prevent farmer-herder clashes, while MACBAN argued that existing anti-grazing laws are “tribalistic” and ineffective.
MACBAN’s National Secretary, Aliyu Gotomo, described the digitisation as a “good development”, though he highlighted challenges such as encroachment on grazing lands and outdated livestock census data.
He maintained that digitisation would help herders stay within designated routes and prevent conflicts with farmers.
Afenifere, however, rejected MACBAN’s stance, with its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, stressing that “We have moved past open grazing. Any attempt to reintroduce it in any form is unacceptable.”
The group argued that state laws banning open grazing, such as those in Benue and Kwara, do not recognise grazing routes, questioning the Federal Government’s alignment with such laws.
Meanwhile, other stakeholders in the livestock sector, including the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Agriculture and Allied Group, lauded the initiative, describing it as a step towards modernising the sector and reducing conflicts.
However, as discussions continue, the digitisation of grazing reserves remains a contentious issue, with calls for policy clarity and stakeholder engagement to balance the interests of farmers, herders, and state governments.
