‘Nigeria must embrace new farming, herding practices to address clashes’

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said Nigeria must abandon outdated farming and herding practices to effectively address the escalating farmers-herders conflicts driven by climate change across the country.

They spoke at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on “Addressing the Impact of Climate Change on Farmers-Herders Clashes in Nigeria,” held at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Represented by Rep. Dickson Tarkighir, Speaker Abbas stressed that Nigerians must adopt modern herding and farming techniques to mitigate the ongoing crises resulting in significant loss of lives and property.

He said, “The success of cattle ranching in other countries, both in terms of livestock numbers and profitability, casts doubt on our continued reliance on nomadic herding.”

• Tinubu will transmit whistleblowing policy to National Assembly soon –Edun
• NAHCON Needs systemic reform – Presidency

He further emphasised the need to align farming practices with global trends amidst climate change, calling for legislative commitment, resources, and political will to ensure this transition.

Senator Akume, represented by his Senior Adviser, Technical, Prof. Bolaji Babatunde, highlighted that environmental impacts linked to climate change are shrinking Nigeria’s landmass and depleting natural resources.

These factors, he noted, are the root causes of conflicts among communities competing for greener and safer locations.

Akume pointed out that desert encroachment is no longer a myth, with visible dunes along Nigeria’s borders.

Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Rep. Terseer Ugbor, who organised the stakeholders’ engagement, called for collaborative efforts to address the farmers-herders clashes in the country.

He highlighted the ecological upheaval caused by climate change, which has forced herders to migrate southward in search of sustenance for their livestock.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr Ishaq Salako, called for collaboration between the legislature and the executive to develop policies and legislation to address the challenges posed by climate change and its consequences.