NIGERIA: FG To Transform 417 Grazing Reserves Into Modern Livestock Villages

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Federal Government has announced plans to convert Nigeria’s 417 grazing reserves into fully functional “Renewed Hope Livestock Villages” equipped with modern infrastructure and essential services.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Sunday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for the deployment of solar-powered mini-grids across the reserves.

Maiha said the initiative would provide electricity, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, abattoirs, veterinary services, irrigation systems, road networks, clean water, and security infrastructure.

He noted that the goal is to resettle pastoralists, modernise livestock production, and reduce recurring herder-farmer conflicts.

The minister stated: “Nomadic pastoralism is no longer sustainable due to climate change, increasing competition for scarce resources, and the growing size of the national herd. We are rehabilitating these reserves to improve quality of life, modernise livestock farming, and incentivise pastoralists to remain in settled communities.”

Pilot projects have already been identified in Wawazangi (Gombe State), Wasem (Plateau State), Gongoshin (Adamawa State), and Ka’u (Bwari Area Council, FCT) where solar grids will soon be deployed.

The proposed livestock villages will feature earth dams, pasture cultivation facilities, schools, health centres, and veterinary clinics, and will benefit cattle herders as well as pig, goat, and sheep farmers nationwide.

On his part, REA Executive Secretary, Abba Aliyu, said the partnership aligns with the agency’s mandate to power rural communities using renewable energy.

Aliyu noted: “If you have a grazing reserve with schools, health centres, markets, and abattoirs, that is a perfect cluster for electrification. This partnership is a marriage of convenience to energise communities and boost productivity in the livestock sector.”

Authorities say the programme will be rolled out in phases, with rehabilitation tailored to the peculiar needs of each reserve.