The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has attributed the persistent movement of herders and their livestock within Abuja to the failure to adequately provide and develop designated grazing areas when the Federal Capital Territory was created.
Maiha stated this on Tuesday during a press briefing organised as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
According to the minister, a significant portion of the land that now constitutes the nation’s capital was traditionally used for livestock grazing before the establishment of Abuja.
He said, “The reason herders are often seen roaming within Abuja city is that before Abuja was created, many of the forests in this area served as grazing lands for livestock.”
Maiha explained that although provisions were made for residential districts, office complexes, markets and other public infrastructure during the development of the city, grazing reserves were largely neglected.
“However, when Abuja was established, provisions were made for residential areas, office complexes, markets and other public facilities, but no adequate arrangements were made to set aside and develop grazing areas for livestock,” he added.
The minister disclosed that there are four forest reserves covering about 33 hectares within the FCT that were originally designated for livestock-related activities but have remained largely undeveloped.
“There are four forest reserves covering about 33 hectares in Abuja that were designated long ago. Since these forest reserves were set aside during the creation of Abuja, little or nothing has been done to develop them in a way that would encourage herders to use them,” he said.
Maiha further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development had been collaborating with the Federal Capital Territory Administration over the past two years to develop the reserves and make them suitable for livestock production.
“Since the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development nearly two years ago, the ministry has been collaborating with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to develop these areas located in Kau, Karshi, and other parts of Abuja,” he stated.
He said the government was engaging relevant stakeholders to upgrade the reserves and facilitate the gradual relocation of herders from urban areas to designated grazing locations.
“We are working with relevant stakeholders to improve these forest reserves and explore the possibility of gradually relocating herders to these designated grazing areas,” Maiha said.
The minister expressed optimism that the initiative would curb the frequent movement of livestock within the city and promote a more organised and sustainable livestock management system in the Federal Capital Territory.
