From Nomadism to Ranching: Drivers, Impacts and Policy Pathways for Open Grazing in Nigeria

Abstract

Open grazing in Nigeria has evolved into a multidimensional policy, environmental and security challenge with implications for food security, land degradation and farmer–herder conflict. This paper examines the drivers sustaining open grazing, the ecological and socio-economic problems associated with it, and policy pathways for transitioning to a more sustainable livestock system. The literature points to climate stress, population pressure, weak land governance and pastoralist socio-economic constraints as key drivers. Recent mitigation has shifted from coercive state bans toward a federally coordinated strategy centred on rehabilitating gazetted grazing reserves into Renewed Hope Livestock Villages, emphasising productivity, breed enhancement, infrastructure and social institutional support rather than abrupt prohibition of pastoral mobility.