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Raji Adebayo
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi, has called on Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, compassion and national unity as Muslims across the world mark Eid al-Adha, stressing that the Federal Government is taking concrete steps to modernise livestock farming to secure the country’s food future.
Ajimobi spoke in Ibadan on Wednesday during an interactive session with newsmen to mark the Sallah celebration.
He said the season, which commemorates the obedience and faith of Prophet Ibrahim, should remind citizens of the need to support one another, care for the less privileged and strengthen communal bonds at a time Nigeria is confronting economic and social challenges.
According to him, “This sacred celebration is not only a period for worship and thanksgiving, but also a moment to reflect on unity, peace, and service to humanity. I want to commend all Nigerians for their resilience and continued hope for a better future.
“We must continue to promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and national unity, regardless of our tribe, religion, or background.”
On livestock reforms, Ajimobi disclosed that his office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development, has commenced the revival of grazing reserves and ranches across the country as part of efforts to curb farmer-herder clashes and shift herders to modern ranching.
He said work has already started on the Kawu Grazing Reserve in Abuja, adding that a nationwide audit of existing ranches and the 417 grazing reserves is ongoing to determine those that can be upgraded before new ones are established.
“It’s not just about teaching farmers modern ways of farming. If we teach without providing the necessary infrastructure, we are wasting our time. Our intention is to teach, revive the reserves we have, modernize them, and use them as a platform to begin the ranching system that the government wants. It has been successful in other countries, and it can be successful here,” Ajimobi explained.
He admitted that the grazing reserves are “more challenging than we would have liked” due to their size, with Kawu alone spanning over 10,000 hectares.
He noted that partnerships with the private sector and the international community are being secured to drive the revival.
“As Senior Special Assistant on livestock development, and in collaboration with the livestock ministry, we are working on several projects. We are working on teaching our farmers the modern ways of farming. But also, it’s not just about teaching. If we teach without providing the necessary infrastructure, we are wasting our time. So our intention is to teach.
“Then we have also begun reviving some of the grazing reserves. We started with Kawu grazing reserve in Abuja. We started the revival last year. We are hoping that it will be ready soon.
“We are also speaking, identifying all the ranches across the nation. We are also trying to identify all the ranches across the nation. Because before we can start starting new ones, we must first see what is on ground, see how they can be modernized, and used as a platform to begin the ranching system that the government wants to begin in Nigeria.
“Because we have realized it’s successful in other countries, and it can be successful here. And it can help us reduce the conflict that we are constantly facing between farmers and herders. So there are ongoing projects to revive ranches across the nation. Grazing reserves, as well as ranches.
“We have 417 grazing reserves, and they are more challenging than we would have thought. They are very big, but we are working on reviving them. We have reached out to partners in the private sector and in the international community that are looking to come on board and partner with us for the revival of these projects. So definitely we are working on these things.”
Ajimobi said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to making Nigeria food secure, a commitment that informed the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development.
He revealed that the President has set a target that “every child must be able to get a sachet of milk and one egg every day” as a minimum nutritional benchmark, saying his team is working towards that goal.
Responding to concerns over insecurity in forests and farmlands, the SSA maintained that tackling kidnapping and banditry requires collective action.
According to him, criminals do not thrive without some level of community complicity, often linked to poverty.
He said modernising livestock production and engaging community members as part of ranger forces would complement the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces, whom he described as “the bravest of the brave.”
He added, “Government has a role to play, but also the communities have a role to play. We are confident that together we can address these challenges.”
On investment inflows into the livestock sector, Ajimobi listed recent agreements secured by President Tinubu, including a $1.5 billion deal with JBS, the world’s largest beef processor; a cooperation agreement with France on livestock and agriculture; and a £100 million dairy production and processing pact signed during the President’s recent trip to the United Kingdom.
He added that Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in Nigerian bovine red meat, with talks ongoing to commence exports.
Addressing questions on internal disagreements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of forthcoming elections, Ajimobi insisted the party remains united under President Tinubu.
He acknowledged that primaries often produce discontent but urged members to “put differences and ambition aside for the greater good of the party and the nation.
“Allah has plans for everybody, pre-written before we were born. We get disgruntled when we don’t get our wishes sometimes, but at the end of the day, I’m sure that members of APC, leaders, and those who are unhappy will be able to put their ambition to the side for the greater good,” he said.
He concluded with prayers for peace and prosperity, asking that Allah accepts the sacrifices of the faithful and grants wisdom to the nation’s leaders. “Eid Mubarak, and may Allah make it all easy for all of us,” Ajimobi added.
