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FG Bans Open Grazing In Nigeria Amidst Security Reasons
The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on open grazing, introducing one of the most decisive policy actions yet to address the long-running herder–farmer crisis.
The decision, which marks a major shift in Nigeria’s livestock management system, was revealed on Tuesday by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Mukhtar Maiha, during the inauguration of the first National Council on Livestock Development in Yola, Adamawa State.
Maiha explained that the Federal Government could no longer overlook the increasing violence linked to open grazing.
He noted that countless communities had suffered devastating losses—ranging from deaths to the destruction of farmlands and homes—because of recurring clashes between farmers and herders across different regions of the country.
According to him, the pattern of attacks and reprisals had become a national security threat demanding urgent intervention.
The minister described the new policy as a turning point, stressing that open grazing is now considered a capital offence under the revised livestock regulations.
He urged herders to adopt ranching immediately, pointing out that modern ranching practices are safer, more productive, and far more beneficial to both herders and host communities.
He emphasised that ranching would help reduce conflicts, improve the health and weight of cattle, and open doors to commercial opportunities within the livestock sector.
Maiha also highlighted the government’s broader economic vision for the livestock industry. He revealed that the ministry aims to position livestock as Nigeria’s second-largest revenue source after oil and gas.
With ongoing reforms already generating significant earnings, he projected that the sector could contribute up to $74 billion within the next five years.
He explained that the government is ready to support states and private investors willing to key into the new livestock development strategy.
In her remarks, Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, welcomed the Federal Government’s choice of Yola as the host city for the historic council meeting.
She said Adamawa remains one of the country’s largest livestock-producing states, making it a natural location for discussions on transforming the sector.
Farauta added that the new measures, if properly implemented, could stabilize rural communities that have endured years of conflict.
The newly inaugurated National Council on Livestock Development will serve as the central coordinating body for the reforms. It comprises directors of livestock services from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The council is expected to oversee the rollout of ranching policies, monitor compliance, and recommend further measures to modernize the sector.
Tension and sorrow have gripped the Iluke Bunu community in Kogi State following a deadly bandit attack that reportedly claimed the life of the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke.
According to reports, the victim, identified as Mr. Gani Anifowose, was brutally killed on Wednesday morning during an attack carried out by armed bandits.
Residents said the community is currently facing heightened security concerns, with fear and panic spreading across the area.
In another disturbing development, reports indicate that students from three neighbouring communities, who were scheduled to sit for the English Language WAEC examination on the same day, were allegedly abducted amid the worsening insecurity in the region.
The incidents have raised fresh concerns over the safety of students, teachers, and residents in vulnerable communities across Kogi State.
A representative of the community association called on security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently intensify efforts to restore peace, secure the affected communities, and ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.
“An hour is gone and no sign of rescue efforts from the security agencies despite placing several calls for help. We urge citizens to remain calm and continue praying for divine intervention, protection, and lasting peace in our communities.”
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly stepped up its investigation into former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to a report by Premium Times, the anti-graft agency has begun efforts to locate the former minister after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations issued in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The publication reported that sources familiar with the matter said the ICPC had invited Nnaji for questioning through different channels, including telephone calls, emails and WhatsApp messages, but he did not appear before investigators.
One of the sources quoted by the newspaper claimed that the commission could declare the former minister wanted if attempts to secure his appearance are unsuccessful.
The latest development is said to be part of an investigation that followed a lengthy inquiry by Premium Times into Nnaji’s academic records and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) documents.
The newspaper had earlier alleged that the former minister submitted forged degree and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.
According to the report, the ICPC has also sought information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as part of its investigation.
Another source cited by Premium Times alleged that Nnaji’s failure to respond to the invitations may be linked to his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.
The newspaper recently reported that the former minister moved from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later emerged as its governorship candidate.
Neither Nnaji nor his media aide, Robert Ngwu, had publicly responded to the latest allegations as of the time of filing this report. Premium Times said calls and messages sent to his spokesperson were not answered.
The controversy surrounding the former minister began after investigations into his academic qualifications were published in 2023.
According to the newspaper, Nnaji had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja in a bid to stop the release of his academic records by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
However, Premium Times reported that university authorities later informed the newspaper that although Nnaji was admitted into the institution, he did not graduate or obtain the certificate attributed to him.
The publication also stated that the National Youth Service Corps disowned the discharge certificate allegedly presented by the former minister.
Nnaji eventually resigned from his position shortly after the allegations became public.
The matter has continued to attract public attention, with several lawyers and civil society groups calling for a thorough investigation and, where necessary, prosecution in line with the law.
In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA also reported earlier this year that an investigative panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Education examined the matter as part of a broader review of the allegations surrounding the former minister’s credentials.
The ICPC has yet to release an official public statement detailing the current status of its investigation
Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior is set to declare a nationwide public holiday across all sectors to mark Democracy Day 2026, potentially granting a one-day break for both private and public sector employees.
The federal government’s announcement regarding Democracy Day will be the only national public holiday observed in Nigeria in June 2026.
Democracy Day commemorates the 1993 presidential election and the nation’s struggle for democratic freedom. June 12, 2026, falls on a Friday.
On June 6, 2018, the late former president Muhammadu Buhari, in a public statement, changed the Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12, in honour of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and its winner, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who died in prison.
Abiola was born on August 14, 1937 and passed away under suspicious circumstances on July 7, 1998. A popular Ogun businessman, publisher, and politician of the Egba clan, he is often referred to as MKO Abiola.
He ran for the presidency in 1993 and was widely regarded as the presumed winner of the election, which was annulled by former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Some southwest states had been celebrating June 12 as a public holiday and are holding ceremonies in Abiola’s honour until Buhari officially declared the day as Nigeria’s real democracy day. The former president, on Monday, June 10, 2018, signed the Public Holiday Amendment Bill into law.
The law, according to the former president’s ex-senior special assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, allows a public holiday to be declared on June 12 every year, while May 29 is to be a handing-over date.
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