The honking of frustrated drivers echoes through the streets of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, as a herd of cattle, guided by a teenage herder named Ismail Abubakar, slowly marches across the road. This scene, a familiar sight in the city, is a stark reminder of the growing conflict between modernization and tradition in the country. Abubakar and his cattle are not in the city center by choice, but by necessity. His family, originally from Katsina State in northern Nigeria, was forced to migrate due to climate change turning grazing lands into barren desert. They settled in Idu, a rural area of Abuja, but its development into a bustling hub of housing estates, a railway complex, and industries has left them with little land for their livestock. The herders, forced to roam the streets for pasture, are a constant source of frustration for city dwellers and developers.
Fulani herders, traditionally nomadic and the backbone of West Africa’s cattle industry, are facing increasing challenges. The pressure for land for housing and agriculture, coupled with the effects of climate change, is eroding their traditional way of life. Solutions are debated: some suggest herders should buy private land and operate like other businesses, but this requires financial resources and government incentives. Baba Ngelzarma, president of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, argues the government has failed to support the livestock industry. He calls for investment in infrastructure such as grazing reserves, veterinary services, and subsidies to help herders thrive.
The government has acknowledged the issue, with President Bola Tinubu establishing a new livestock development ministry. However, progress remains slow, and the designated grazing reserves in rural areas surrounding Abuja lack the necessary infrastructure and are plagued by encroachment by farmers and illegal settlers. This leaves herders with little choice but to set up settlements wherever they can find space, leading to confrontations with landowners and further exacerbating tensions. Mohammed Abbas, a smallholder pastoralist, recounts the repeated displacement he and his family have endured. They have been forced to move as their land is claimed for development, leaving them with nowhere to go. Others, like Hassan Mohammed, are determined to resist. His family has been squeezed onto a shrinking strip of land near the Idu train station, a once-vast bush now replaced by housing projects. While he works as a truck driver to make ends meet, his family remains determined to stay, clinging to their dwindling home base.
The situation has put a strain on Abuja’s environment, causing traffic disruptions and contributing to tensions with farmers in other parts of Nigeria. The city’s real estate developers are also facing challenges, with some advocating for the government to revive grazing reserves to alleviate the pressure on urban land. While the government has acknowledged the need for action, a clear solution remains elusive. Herder representatives are open to adopting more modern practices, such as purchasing feed and water, but they emphasize the need for government support to make this transition feasible. They argue that the livestock industry has been neglected, while other sectors receive significant government investment. The government’s failure to provide incentives and support for the livestock industry, combined with the increasing pressure on land resources, is creating a difficult situation for both herders and city dwellers. A comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of both groups, including the development of sustainable grazing reserves and support for the livestock industry, is crucial to finding a solution that benefits everyone.
