FG debunks reports on nationwide ban on open grazing

The 17 Governors in the region had set the deadline during their July 5 meeting in Lagos State, which was a follow up to the announcement of a total ban on open-grazing during an earlier meeting on May 12 in Asaba, Delta State capital.

The Federal Government has dismissed media reports claiming that open grazing has been banned across the country.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Livestock Development signed by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press & Public Relations, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the minister said on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, that the government has not announced any such policy.

Instead, he explained, the administration is implementing a phased and carefully structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems.

Maiha stated that Nigeria has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares, and the Federal Government is working with states to revitalise and equip these reserves to make them functional for pastoralists and other livestock operators.

He emphasised that the transition plan does not eliminate open grazing immediately but provides sustainable alternatives aimed at enhancing productivity, reducing conflicts, and building a modern livestock ecosystem.

“Pastoralists, like every other economic group, require a structured business environment. 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,” he said.

The Ministry urged Nigerians to disregard misleading reports and rely on official government channels for accurate information on livestock development policies.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.