Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff Advocates Ranching as Major Solution to End Farmer-Herder Clashes and Boost Security.

Nigeria's top military leader, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has once again highlighted the urgent need for modern livestock management practices, particularly the widespread adoption of ranches, to curb the long-standing conflicts between farmers and herders that continue to threaten national security. During a public engagement on July 23, 2025, the then-Chief of Defence Staff stressed that regulating the movement of cattle through established ranches could dramatically reduce violence and contribute to broader stability across the country.

General Musa's comments come at a time when farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria remain one of the most pressing internal security challenges. These disputes, often over grazing land and crop destruction, have resulted in thousands of deaths, massive displacements, and economic losses running into billions of dollars annually. Regions like the Middle Belt, including states such as Benue, Plateau, Taraba, and Nasarawa, have been particularly affected, with recurring violent incidents disrupting farming activities and exacerbating food insecurity.

In his address, Musa outlined two fundamental measures he believes are critical for tackling insecurity linked to these clashes. The first involves better control over livestock migration. He argued that creating dedicated ranches would allow authorities to monitor animal movements more effectively, preventing herds from wandering into cultivated farmlands and sparking confrontations. "Establishing ranches provides a structured way to manage grazing, offering greater oversight and minimizing direct conflicts between herders and farmers," he explained.

The second key point Musa raised was the need to change how communities respond to stray animals. Instead of resorting to destroying livestock that enter farms – a practice that often escalates tensions and leads to reprisals – he advocated for impounding the animals and facilitating fair compensation to affected herders. This approach, he noted, promotes justice and de-escalation rather than vengeance.

According to the military chief, implementing these two strategies could resolve over 65% of the security issues impacting agricultural communities nationwide. His assertion underscores the significant role that farmer-herder disputes play in Nigeria's overall insecurity landscape, alongside other threats like banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping.

General Musa's advocacy for ranching is not new; he has consistently promoted modern livestock practices throughout his career. As a former director of Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches, he has firsthand experience with confined animal rearing, pointing out benefits like healthier cattle, higher meat yields, and increased profitability for herders. Ranching, he has argued in past statements, aligns with global best practices and could transform Nigeria's livestock sector into a more sustainable and economically viable industry.

The call for ranches has been a recurring theme in efforts to address farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria. Previous administrations explored initiatives like the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements and open grazing bans in some states, but implementation has faced resistance due to land ownership issues, cultural attachments to nomadic herding, and political sensitivities. Critics often view such proposals through ethnic or religious lenses, given that many herders are from the Fulani community, while farmers in affected areas belong to diverse groups.

Despite these challenges, proponents argue that ranching offers multiple advantages. It reduces the risks associated with long-distance transhumance, where herders move cattle seasonally in search of pasture, often crossing state boundaries and farmlands. Climate change has worsened the situation by causing desertification in northern regions, pushing herders southward and intensifying competition for resources.

In 2025 alone, farmer-herder clashes have continued to claim lives and displace communities. Reports from various states highlight deadly attacks, reprisals, and destruction of property, contributing to Nigeria's high ranking on global insecurity indices. The conflicts have also driven up food prices by disrupting agricultural production in key breadbasket regions.

General Musa's remarks drew mixed reactions. Some civil society groups praised his practical focus on non-military solutions, emphasizing the need for dialogue and policy reforms. Others expressed skepticism, citing past failures in enforcing anti-open grazing laws and concerns over potential land grabs. Human rights organizations have called for balanced approaches that protect both farmers' rights to their crops and herders' livelihoods.

As Nigeria grapples with multifaceted security threats, voices like Musa's highlight the interconnected nature of communal conflicts and national stability. Addressing farmer-herder issues through ranching could free up military resources currently deployed for crisis response, allowing focus on other priorities like counter-terrorism in the northeast.

The federal government has shown interest in livestock modernization, with ongoing programs aimed at developing the sector's potential. Nigeria boasts one of Africa's largest cattle populations, yet much of it operates informally. Transitioning to ranching could boost exports, create jobs in feed production and veterinary services, and integrate herders into the formal economy.

Experts suggest that successful ranching adoption would require incentives like subsidies for infrastructure, access to loans for herders, and community involvement in planning. States with existing anti-open grazing laws, such as Benue and Ekiti, could serve as models, though enforcement remains inconsistent.

Musa's emphasis on these issues reflects a broader recognition within security circles that lasting peace demands addressing root causes, not just symptoms. Farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria 2025 have persisted despite military interventions, underscoring the need for sustainable, policy-driven resolutions.

For Nigerians searching for updates on Nigeria security news 2025, farmer-herder crisis solutions, or General Christopher Musa latest statements, this advocacy reinforces the push for innovative approaches to age-old problems. As the country navigates economic recovery and social cohesion, resolving these clashes could mark a turning point in reducing rural violence and enhancing food security.

The debate around ranching continues to evolve, with stakeholders urging collaborative efforts between government, traditional leaders, herder associations, and farmer groups. If implemented effectively, such measures could significantly lower tensions and pave the way for peaceful coexistence.

In the meantime, communities affected by these conflicts call for immediate protection and justice. General Musa's proposals, while not entirely new, add weight from a high-ranking security official, potentially influencing policy directions under the current administration.

This ongoing discussion highlights the complexity of Nigeria's internal challenges but also the opportunities for progress through dialogue and modernization. As more leaders echo calls for ranching and regulated grazing, hope remains that practical steps will follow to end the cycle of violence plaguing farming and herding communities.