At the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, July 9th, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has announced the creation of a new ministry, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope livestock reforms implementation committee.

The committee presented 21 recommendations to the president, including the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Resources to address the long-standing conflict between farmers and nomadic cattle herders. 

This follows the president’s formation of a committee last September to address these clashes and to enhance the livestock and dairy industries, based on recommendations from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria.

The primary role of the new ministry will be to drive the livestock sector and support other agricultural projects under the food sustainability programme. 

President Tinubu emphasized that this ministry is essential for providing sector-specific solutions to the farmers-herders crisis.

The president also mentioned that the minister for the new ministry will be announced soon, with the nominee’s name forwarded to the Senate for screening and confirmation if it is a new appointment.