IPCR: Livestock Sector Now Sits at the Heart of Nigeria’s Ecosystem

By: Michael Mike

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the livestock sector now sits “at the heart of Nigeria’s conflict ecosystem,” influencing local economies, intergroup relations, and national security.

While Nigeria has produced multiple livestock policies over the years, speakers at the Policy Review Meeting of the Network of Policy Makers for the Support of Peace, Security and Reconciliation in Nigeria organized by IPCR in partnership with King Abdullah Bin Abdullaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), agreed that the country’s biggest challenge is not policy creation but policy implementation.

The Executive Secretary of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu said: “Policies exist, but they often die before they leave the shelf,” echoing past criticisms that Nigeria has become a “graveyard of unimplemented policies.”

He warned that the farmer–herder conflict has evolved into a complex risk system shaped by climate pressures, land scarcity, population growth, trans-border migration, and weak governance structures. Without coordinated action, these pressures threaten to overwhelm already stretched local and national institutions.

He stressed that the success of livestock reforms will depend on effective coordination between federal ministries, state governments, local authorities, and community actors.

He said: “When institutions operate in silos, conflict fills the gap. But when federal, state, and local structures move in alignment, policy becomes a stabilizing tool.”

He described traditional rulers, pastoralist associations, farmers’ groups, and religious leaders as “indispensable partners” in the process rather than observers brought in after decisions are made.

The session also addressed growing concerns around communal violence and allegations of targeted attacks against specific religious groups. Recent claims suggesting that Christians are being systematically exterminated in Nigeria have gained international attention.

Ochogwu acknowledged the emotional weight of such claims but cautioned against narratives not grounded in verified evidence.

“Nigeria’s security challenges stem from terrorism, banditry, resource competition, and historical grievances,” he said, while adding that: “These problems affect all groups, and they require collective solutions—not divisive interpretations.”

He emphasized that Nigeria must not allow any trajectory that resembles genocide or the destruction of any community, calling for stronger early-warning systems, improved regulation of pastoral mobility, and policies that prevent local tensions from escalating into large-scale atrocities.

Participants agreed that the partnership between policymakers and faith leaders is central to preventing violence. Religious institutions, they noted, have moral authority and grassroots influence that government structures often lack, particularly in rural communities most affected by the conflict.

“This network exists because peace is not a government-only project,” the convener said. “It must be built through a multi-layered alliance of policymakers, traditional institutions, and religious leaders.”

Ochogwu highlighted four areas requiring urgent action: Strengthening vertical and horizontal coordination across federal, state, and community levels; Embedding conflict-sensitive practices into all livestock policy implementation; Ensuring inclusive engagement involving farmers, pastoralists, women, youth, and local institutions and Institutionalizing evidence-based monitoring systems that track conflict hotspots and pastoral mobility using real-time data.

IPCR reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal Government through conflict analysis, policy advisory services, mediation, and early-warning mechanisms. Its partnerships with KAICIID and other international bodies, it said, are aimed at ensuring that the outcomes of these dialogues translate into tangible impact at the community level.

Participants agreed that Nigeria stands at a critical moment. Transforming livestock policy into practical action, they said, is not only a matter of agricultural reform—it is a prerequisite for national stability.

Ochogwu said: “Moving from intention to impact is the only path to sustainable peace,” note”ing that: “Strengthening coordination in the livestock sector is ultimately strengthening Nigeria itself.”

Policymakers, diplomats, and leading clerics convened in Abuja on Friday for the Second Quarter Policy Review Dialogue of the Network of Policymakers and Religious Leaders, with a renewed push to transform Nigeria’s long-standing livestock policy from paper commitments into real, coordinated action.

The meeting, held at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) headquarters, focused on the theme “From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Coordination and Implementation of Nigeria’s Livestock Policy.” It brought together government officials, faith leaders, security experts and community representatives who described the dialogue as a crucial step in tackling the persistent farmer–herder crisis and its broader security implications.

IPCR: Livestock Sector Now Sits at the Heart of Nigeria’s Ecosystem

VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent President Tinubu At G20 Leaders’ Summit In South Africa

By: Our Reporter

Following the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to stay back in Nigeria and attend to security concerns in the country, Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent the President at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa @g20org.

President Tinubu had postponed his earlier scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa to await further security briefings on the recent security incidents in Kebbi and Kwara States.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African leader who also serves as the current President of the G20 group had invited his Nigerian counterpart to participate in this year’s edition.

The Summit, scheduled to take place from Saturday, November 22nd, to Sunday, November 23rd, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, brings together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the European Union, the African Union, financial institutions, among others.

The Vice President will return to Nigeria at the end of the engagements.

VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent President Tinubu At G20 Leaders’ Summit In South Africa

PRESIDENT TINUBU ASKS MATAWALLE, MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, TO MOVE TO KEBBI OVER SCHOOLGIRLS’ ABDUCTION

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.
 
Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.
 
Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4 am on Monday.
 
Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.
 
On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.
 
President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

PRESIDENT TINUBU ASKS MATAWALLE, MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, TO MOVE TO KEBBI OVER SCHOOLGIRLS’ ABDUCTION