ABUJA — The Federal Government on Friday announced plans to rehabilitate and transform 417 grazing reserves across the country into modern livestock villages equipped with power supply, schools, healthcare centres, markets, veterinary services, and other essential infrastructure.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide solar-powered grids in selected reserves. He said the initiative, tagged Renewed Hope Livestock Villages, aims to modernize pastoralism, reduce nomadic migration, and address recurring farmer-herder conflicts.
Maiha lamented that the reserves had suffered years of neglect despite their potential to boost livestock production and improve livelihoods. “Nomadism is no longer sustainable due to climate change, competition for scarce resources, and increasing demand for livestock,” he said. “We have come up with a model where grazing reserves will be rehabilitated with earth dams, primary schools, healthcare centres, veterinary clinics, and markets to improve the quality of life for pastoralists.”
He listed Wawazangi (Gombe State), Wasem (Plateau State), Gongoshin (Adamawa State), and Ka’u (Bwari Area Council, FCT) as pilot locations for the first phase of the project.
The REA Executive Secretary, Abba Aliyu, described the collaboration as vital to powering rural communities and supporting livestock value chains. “A grazing reserve that integrates schools, healthcare, markets, and abattoirs provides the perfect environment for our renewable energy deployment,” he said.
Maiha further noted that the programme will extend beyond cattle herding to other livestock sectors such as poultry, piggery, sheep, and goat farming, ensuring millions of pastoralists and animal keepers benefit nationwide.
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