Fulani Leaders Urge Federal Government to Allocate 30 Percent of Agricultural Budget to Livestock Sector

A coalition of Fulani leaders under the Confederation of Pastoralists has formally appealed to the Federal Government to direct thirty percent of the national agricultural budget toward funding the Ministry of Livestock Development. Representatives of the group made the appeal during an international press briefing in Abuja, emphasizing the need for robust financial backing to transition the country's livestock sector from traditional subsistence methods into a modern commercial industry.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Abdullahi Ardo acknowledged the historic nature of establishing the livestock ministry in 2024 to address long-standing farmer-herder conflicts through ranching and pasture development. However, the leaders expressed concern that the ministry has remained largely unfunded and lacks active operational frameworks at the community level. They urged authorities to gazette and protect the four hundred and seventeen existing grazing reserves nationwide while initiating pilot ranches and fodder production across all six geopolitical zones.

The pastoralist leaders also drew attention to ongoing security challenges and alleged coordinated attacks affecting herding communities in several states including Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara. Asserting that numerous lives and livestock have been lost without adequate national attention or compensation, the association called for independent investigations, humanitarian assistance for displaced families, and enhanced protection under constitutional provisions.

Furthermore, the coalition advocated for a comprehensive national dialogue involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, and various stakeholders to resolve persistent agricultural conflicts. They emphasized that constructive engagement, equal access to justice, and inclusive development are vital to fostering peaceful coexistence and long-term economic stability across the country.

Source reporting: Punch — 2026-10-26 00:00:55