The majority of Nigeria’s 20 million cows are owned by the Fulani herders, who are nomadic. These herders have historically moved their Livestock across the nation in pursuit of pastures. Nevertheless, a number of obstacles have made it more difficult for them to locate enough grazing ground, including the effects of climate change, the speed at which cities are developing, and the rise in violence in rural regions. Because of this, herders are bringing their cattle into cities more frequently in an attempt to escape the instability of rural areas and find better opportunities in metropolitan areas.
Over time, Nigeria’s fast urbanisation, changing climate, and Insecurity have had a significant impact on the Fulani herders’ traditional grazing practices. Nigeria had an almost 400% increase in urbanisation between 1990 and 2020, intruding on an area that was once open to herders for grazing. Much grazing has been lost as a result of its growth into rural regions. Herders who have historically depended on these regions for their periodic migrations now have fewer grazing places due to the cities of Abuja and Lagos’ fast sprawl into the neighbouring territories.
Cattle pasture is being severely reduced due to desertification.
These problems have been made worse by climate change, since northern Nigeria has seen Desertification due to recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall patterns, further reducing grazing grounds. Cattle pasture is being severely reduced in areas like Borno, Yobe, and Sokoto due to desertification, which is moving southward at a rate of 0.6 km per year, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has conducted studies that demonstrate how this tendency has forced herders to move farther south into more populous but more fertile areas. Violent confrontations, especially between farmers and herders over land and water supplies, have increased in rural regions, contributing to a rise in insecurity.
According to the International Crisis Group, nearly 2,000 Nigerians have lost their lives in farmer-herder conflicts in the last five years. Fearing attacks by local militias or armed organisations, herders are increasingly compelled to move their cattle to metropolitan areas in search of safety and grazing. Tensions between urban dwellers and herders have increased as a result of this change. Cities like Jos, Kaduna, and even Lagos have experienced heightened conflict because urban livestock frequently cause traffic jams, damage to public Infrastructure like roads, and sanitary problems.
Large herds of cattle can seriously deteriorate infrastructure in cities.
In terms of the economy, herders’ movement into urban areas places more demand on local resources. Large herds of cattle can seriously deteriorate infrastructure in cities, which are not built to support them. For example, it has been estimated that the annual cost of repairing Abuja’s roads damaged by cattle is millions of naira. Socially, the presence of cattle in urban areas has caused conflicts with city dwellers who perceive the herders as encroaching on their territory, resulting in a disintegration of connections within the community.
Reforms in land management are crucial in tackling these issues, according to a number of experts. As sustainable substitutes, grazing reserves and ranching systems are promoted by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. Migration would be less necessary and disputes with city dwellers may be avoided if herders moved to settled ranching. Furthermore, in areas like Plateau State, where community leaders have assisted in defusing tensions, conflict resolution programs—such mediation sessions between farmers and herders—have shown promise.
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Herders themselves complain about the hazardous conditions in rural regions and the scarcity of grazing grounds. His feelings are similar to those of many herders who, despite the challenges, are more prevalent in cities because they are torn between the necessity to feed their livestock and the dread of insecurity. Better land-use regulations, funding for rural security, and initiatives to sustainably integrate herders into urban economies are among potential remedies for these issues. Both herders and urban people could gain from ranching’s ability to boost cow yield without requiring frequent movement when paired with contemporary veterinary and breeding techniques.