The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration, pastoralists and other relevant stakeholders to curb the movement of cattle through the city centre, while rehabilitating grazing reserves across the Territory to promote orderly and sustainable livestock production.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance on Thursday, October 15, 2026, when a delegation from the FCT Department of Animal Husbandry Services, led by its Director, Mrs. Clementina Njoku, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja.
The Minister explained that ,the proposed rehabilitation of grazing reserves would involve the provision of essential infrastructure and social amenities to make the designated settlements conducive for pastoralists, their families and livestock. These facilities would include schools, housing, temporary clinics, boreholes, solar-powered water systems and earth dams, among others.
He noted that providing these basic amenities would encourage pastoralists to settle in designated areas, improve their living conditions and reduce the need for cattle to move through urban centres.
Maiha further disclosed that ,the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Programme (L-PRES) would implement interventions in the FCT livestock sector. The interventions would cover genetic improvement, infrastructure development, veterinary hospitals and clinics, vaccine supply, farm inputs and services, as well as the provision of boreholes to support livestock-producing communities.
The Minister also revealed that the Ministry would formally communicate with the Honourable Minister of the FCT to notify him of its intention to undertake an assessment tour of grazing reserves, livestock markets and other livestock facilities across the Territory.
According to him, the proposed assessment would enable the Ministry to determine the current condition of the facilities, identify areas requiring urgent attention and develop appropriate rehabilitation measures to improve livestock production and encourage pastoralists to settle in designated locations.
He emphasised that the Ministry’s approach would prioritise the provision of adequate facilities and a safe environment before enforcing restrictions on cattle movement within the metropolis.
“We are not going to force them. Once we are satisfied that those places are safe and equipped with the facilities and amenities required by pastoralists, their families and their animals, we can then introduce measures to ensure that no animals are seen roaming within the metropolis,” the Minister stated.
On the proposal to establish an FCT Livestock Development Secretariat in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Maiha assured the delegation of the Ministry’s willingness to support the initiative, subject to a clear justification for its establishment.
Earlier, the Director of the FCT Department of Animal Husbandry Services, Mrs. Clementina Njoku, described the livestock sub-sector as a critical component of the agricultural economy and a key contributor to national development.
Njoku commended the Ministry’s strategic efforts to modernise animal husbandry, enhance livestock productivity, strengthen food security and create sustainable livelihoods for pastoralists and livestock farmers.
She identified potential areas of collaboration between the two institutions to include livestock breeding and genetic improvement, feed and nutrition development, value-chain development and market access, research, innovation and technology transfer, as well as capacity building and training.
The Director expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the FCT Department of Animal Husbandry Services would boost livestock productivity, strengthen resilience to climate change and contribute to the successful implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan and other relevant national policies.
The meeting was attended by Directors, Senior Special Assistants to the Honourable Minister and Heads of Departments.
Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director
Press and Public Relations Department
15th October, 2026
