The Federal Government has dismissed reports suggesting that open grazing has been banned across the country. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made the clarification on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, stating that no nationwide ban has been announced. He explained that the government is instead focusing on a gradual and carefully planned shift from open grazing to modern ranching systems.
Mukhtar said the move is part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the livestock sector. He noted that Nigeria currently has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares. According to him, the Federal Government is working with state governments to revitalise and equip these reserves so they can serve pastoralists and other livestock operators more effectively.
He stressed that the transition plan is not an immediate abolition of open grazing but a process designed to provide better alternatives. He said the goal is to support productivity, minimise conflicts, and build a more sustainable livestock ecosystem. In his words, “Pastoralists, like every other economic group, 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.”
The Ministry urged the public to ignore misleading reports and depend on official government channels for accurate updates.
