The Federal Government has clarified that it has not imposed a nationwide ban on open grazing, stating that Nigeria is instead undergoing a gradual transition toward modern, ranch-based livestock management.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Ministry confirmed that the Minister, Alhaji Idi Maiha, has not announced any policy banning open grazing.
“Instead, the government is implementing a gradual, structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems,” the statement noted.
According to Uchechukwu, the Minister highlighted that Nigeria currently has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares. The Federal Government is partnering with state governments to revitalise and equip these reserves so they can serve as functional hubs for pastoralists and other livestock operators.
The Ministry stressed that the transition to ranching is not an abrupt abolition of open grazing, but a phased plan designed to enhance productivity, reduce farmer–herder conflicts, and build a more sustainable livestock ecosystem.
“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 Minister said.
The public was urged to ignore misleading reports and rely on official government channels for accurate policy updates.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of previous government efforts, including the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), which promoted ranching as a more sustainable alternative to open grazing. Earlier initiatives such as the proposed RUGA settlements also sought to permanently settle pastoralists in designated areas but faced opposition from several state governments over land and security concerns.
Recently, the re-established Ministry of Livestock Development has repeatedly emphasised that while open grazing will eventually be phased out, the process will be gradual, coordinated, and supported by viable alternatives for herders nationwide.