Stakeholders seek solution to farmer-herders crisis in Nigeria

Stakeholders comprising government officials, traditional leaders, farmers, herders, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for a lasting solution to address the lingering farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria.

They made the call in Abuja, during the third Annual National Conference on the Management of Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria.

Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director of Neem Foundation, Dr. Fatima Akilu who argued that the increasing frequency of droughts and unpredictable weather patterns is adding to the crisis, called for urgent adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable resource management.

Akilu said: “We must confront the multifaceted nature of these conflicts. Climate change remains a formidable challenge, intensifying the competition for vital resources such as water, grazing lands, and arable soil.

“Equally important is the role of community-driven solutions. Rebuilding trust within affected communities is essential for effective dialogue and conflict resolution.

“Traditional and religious leaders are pivotal in this process, serving as influential voices and mediators within their communities. Their involvement, along with the active participation of women and youth, is crucial in fostering peace and cooperation at the grassroots level.

In addressing insecurity and resource competition, Akilu advised the government to explore and implement innovative conflict resolution mechanisms, stressing the need to
establish an effective early warning systems that promotes equitable resource sharing.

The Director further urged the government to integrate alternative dispute resolution methods to prevent and mitigating conflicts.

In his remarks, the Executive Director, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, emphasised the need to implement climate change and community-driven solutions to resolve lingering farmer-herder conflicts.

Ochogwu noted that the conflicts between farmers and herders are rooted in a combination of historical, environmental, economic, and socio-political factors while climate change stands as a formidable and escalating challenge.

He said: “The erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and unseasonal floods we are experiencing are not mere inconveniences but profound disruptors of our agricultural and pastoral systems.

“These environmental changes exacerbate the competition for limited resources land, water, and grazing areas which fuels tensions between communities.”

On his part, the Paramount ruler of Doma, His Royal Highness, Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo urged policymakers to adopt a holistic approach, considering historical, social, and economic factors to find lasting solutions.

He stressed the need for the government to address the underlying issues, rather than just treating symptoms.

Doma said: “A lot of literature has been passed at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, but implementation is always a problem. When points are articulated, the challenges are identified, solutions are provided, what next is the implementation? That is what is lacking ever since.

“So after the presentation of whatever recommendation that will come out of this sitting, I think there has to be the need for follow-up to see to its final conclusions, so that we will achieve implementation of the decisions that are taken here, because that has been the problem ever since.

“We will articulate the situation, we’ll identify the challenges, we’ll provide solutions, but implementation always becomes a problem. That is why we are where we are today.”