The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has organised a workshop to review its Five-Year Strategic Plan.  The Workshop on the Strategic Plan aims to position the Ministry to help end ongoing violent conflicts between farmers and herders.  
 
It was held in collaboration with Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG), a programme funded by the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).  
 
Participants included representatives from Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), chief executives of peace commissions and agencies, as well as peace practitioners and conflict specialists from academia, civil society, and the international development community.  
 
The attendees provided input to enhance and strengthen mechanisms for mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and grievance management in livestock and agricultural production systems.
 
The Minister, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, who opened the workshop, emphasised how conflicts and insecurity have impeded livestock sector development and economic progress, stating: “This sector of the economy faces conflicts and insecurity, which have contributed to restricted access to key lands, water, and grassland resources across the country.” 
 
He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to improving security: “For this reason, some of the pillars of the Ministry’s five-year strategic plan are peace, security, and social cohesion.”

Head of Governance and Stability at the British High Commission in Abuja, Magdalene Lagu, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s economic growth and security. 
 
She emphasised that the UK would continue to deepen its strategic partnership with Nigeria under the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnerships, ensuring sustained collaboration in peace-building, stability, and development.
 
Participants engaged in robust discussions to validate, revise, and strengthen the proposed initiatives designed to address conflicts between farmers and herders over land and water resources. 
 
The insights and recommendations will feed into the Ministry’s Peace-building, Security, and Social Cohesion Pillar in furtherance of sustainable peace and security in farming and herding communities across Nigeria.
 
Speaking on the impact of the workshop, Team Leader of the SPRiNG programme, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, said: “The success of this workshop is a testament to the collaborative spirit among stakeholders committed to promoting peace and resilience in Nigeria’s livestock sector. We are optimistic that the outcomes from this workshop will significantly contribute to crafting effective interventions that will mitigate conflicts and promote socio-economic development.”