- Northern senators and MACBAN oppose a bill to establish ranching as the sole method for cattle breeding, citing constitutional rights
- Senators argue the bill is discriminatory and suggest ranches be private ventures, not confined to herders’ states of origin
Northern senators and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have voiced their opposition to a bill to establish ranching as the only viable alternative for cattle breeding in Nigeria. The National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission Establishment Bill, which recently passed its second reading in the Senate, aims to replace open grazing with designated ranches in pastoralists’ states of origin.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (APC, Benue), proposes creating a commission to oversee the management, preservation, and control of ranches nationwide. This initiative addresses long-standing conflicts between herders and farmers, which have led to significant loss of lives and property.
In his lead debate, Senator Zam argued that establishing ranches in pastoralist states of origin would prevent conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence. He stated, “The bill proposes that ranches be established in the pastoralists’ state of origin without forcing it upon other states or communities that do not have pastoralists as citizens. Interested parties in livestock business must seek and obtain approvals of their host communities to establish ranches for peaceful coexistence.”
Senator Zam emphasized that banning open grazing through legislation would resolve the frequent clashes between farmers and herders. He highlighted the absence of a regulatory framework or legislation on pastoralism and livestock mobility, which has resulted in a chaotic “survival of the fittest” scenario between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders in Nigeria.
However, the bill has faced strong opposition from some northern senators, who argue that herders should have the freedom to reside anywhere in Nigeria, as guaranteed by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution. Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) maintained that confining herders to their states of origin violates their constitutional rights. He asserted, “This bill proposes that the pastoralists should be confined to their states of origin. This is against the constitution because they are Nigerians and should be allowed to move freely in Nigeria.”
Aliero also contended that ranches should be established as private businesses without federal government involvement. He indicated his willingness to support the bill only if the provision restricting ranches to the states of origin of herders is removed.
Senator Mohammed Goje (APC, Gombe) described the bill as discriminatory, noting that cattle rearing is more prevalent in the North and arguing that legislation should benefit the entire country, not just a specific region. Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu (NNPP, Kano) expressed concerns that the bill would further complicate the issues between herders and farmers, stating, “The bill will even compound the problems of the herders and the farmers. You can’t propose a law to only attend to a particular group or section of the country. This bill is not holistic, and we will fight it till the end.”
Given its controversial history, Senator Hussein Babangida Uba (Jigawa North-West) also called for caution when passing the bill. The debate highlights the deep divisions over how best to address the complex issue of herders-farmers conflicts in Nigeria.
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