President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved plans to establish a modern ranching facility in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as part of a broader national initiative to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry and address persistent clashes between herders and farmers.
The project, which falls under the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, is aimed at promoting controlled grazing, boosting local meat and dairy production, and reducing insecurity linked to open grazing practices.
According to federal authorities, the Abuja ranch will serve as a model for other states, integrating veterinary services, pasture development, cold-chain systems, and animal identification technologies to ensure a fully functional livestock value chain.
A portion of the ₦315 million allocated in the 2025 budget for ranch development has been earmarked for the FCT project, with implementation expected to begin within the current fiscal year.
Officials say the initiative will also create employment opportunities, enhance food security, and promote peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farming communities within the territory.
While details about the specific location within the FCT are yet to be disclosed, stakeholders have called for transparency and broad consultation with host communities to ensure a smooth and inclusive rollout.
The ranching initiative is one of several key strategies being introduced by the Tinubu administration to modernize agriculture and curb rising tensions in agrarian communities across Nigeria.
