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The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, has commenced plans to establish a Regional Fodder Hub covering Nigeria’s North-Central and South-West corridor, in a move aimed at addressing insecurity linked to livestock movement and improving feed availability for herders.
The initiative was unveiled during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara State, where government officials, sector stakeholders, and development partners examined the framework for the proposed project and its expected impact on livestock production across the region.
Strategy targets insecurity tied to livestock migration
Speaking at the meeting, Special Adviser to the Minister of Livestock Development, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, said the proposed fodder hub forms part of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic strategy for tackling recurring conflicts associated with open livestock movement.
According to him, long-distance migration by pastoralists in search of pasture and water has remained one of the major triggers of farmer-herder clashes in several parts of the country.
He explained that the new regional fodder hub is designed to reduce such movements by creating reliable, accessible, and sustainable feed and water sources closer to livestock producers.
Iyayi noted that beyond reducing conflict, the intervention is also expected to strengthen livestock productivity by ensuring more stable feeding systems throughout the year.
Ilemona identified as proposed host community in Kwara
Kwara State is expected to host a major component of the initiative, with Ilemona in Oyun Local Government Area selected as the proposed site for the pasture hub.
In his remarks, Director of Livestock Services at the Kwara State Ministry of Livestock Development, Umar Ahmed Mohammed, said the project aligns with the agricultural and economic development priorities of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He stated that the Ilemona pasture hub is intended to serve as a practical response to persistent seasonal feed shortages affecting livestock farmers in the state and surrounding areas.
According to him, the project will not only provide a year-round fodder supply system but also support broader efforts to modernise livestock production through structured grazing and improved pasture management.
Pressure mounting on Nigeria’s livestock sector
Also speaking at the event, Kwara State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Olusoji Oyawoye, said the timing of the initiative is critical as Nigeria’s livestock sector faces growing strain from climate change, dwindling grazing resources, and feed scarcity.
He observed that inadequate access to fodder and water has become a major constraint to livestock productivity and a recurring source of conflict between farming and pastoral communities.
Oyawoye added that the planned Ilemona pasture is expected to function as a regional fodder bank, supplying feed resources not only to Kwara but also to neighbouring states within the North-Central and South-West corridor.
Broader implications for livestock reform
The Regional Fodder Hub initiative reflects the Federal Government’s broader effort to transition Nigeria’s livestock sector away from traditional open grazing systems toward more organised and conflict-sensitive production models.
Analysts say if successfully implemented, the project could reduce pressure on grazing routes, improve herd management, and create a more stable framework for commercial livestock development.
The stakeholders’ meeting ended with a field inspection of the proposed project site in Ilemona, where officials assessed the land earmarked for the hub’s development.
The project is expected to serve as a pilot model for similar fodder infrastructure in other parts of the country as Nigeria seeks long-term solutions to livestock insecurity and productivity challenges.
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