Climate change impacts are driving herders into Nigeria’s capital, leading to unexpected disruptions as cows block major roads. The situation highlights the growing challenges of climate-induced displacement.
Seven miles away from the presidential villa, drivers at an intersection express their frustration with honking as a herd of cattle grazes on the grass in the median strip and gradually walks across the road, producing loud clattering noises due to their hooves striking against asphalt.
To Ismail Abubakar, a teenage herder leading them along, it’s an ordinary day. Likewise, for the vast number of drivers ensnared in traffic jam after traffic jam, this is a commonplace occurrence playing out within Abuja – Nigeria’s bustling capital city.
Abubakar and his cattle are not in the city centre by choice, but rather out of necessity. His family’s roots originate from Katsina State located in northern Nigeria where climate change transformed grazing lands into barren desert. Abubakar relocated to Idu which is a less developed part of Abuja that was once rural and bushy many years ago; however, there have been numerous changes over time with housing estates popping up alongside industrial areas and a vast railway complex being introduced as well.
Abubakar spoke in broken Pidgin English, sharing how our community was demolished at Idu. They cleared the vegetation where we grazed our livestock to make space for new buildings. Consequently, my family relocated to a hilly area on the outskirts of town and wandered about its main streets seeking grazing fields.
Abubakar, a Fulani herder, belongs to a community that traditionally leads a nomadic lifestyle and holds sway over West Africa’s cattle industry. Their livestock usually subsists on open ranges with abundant grasslands but their cherished way of life is under threat due to the impact of modernization, land demands for habitation and agriculture as well as man-made climatic fluctuations.
One proposed solution for preventing cattle from roaming on Abuja’s primary streets and parks is to encourage herders to obtain their own land and operate as typical enterprises. However, this plan would require financial resources and government support in the form of incentives.
“The situation is disheartening,” stated Baba Ngelzarma, the president of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria – a group advocating for Fulani pastoralists. “Nigeria’s reputation has been tarnished as an unorganized populace due to herders taking their cattle wherever sustenance can be found, regardless if it encroaches on urban areas or private land.”
He stated that the government’s inability to tap into the potential of livestock industry is a contributing factor, as they have not provided incentives such as water sources and vet services at specific grazing reserves. Additionally, subsidies could also help in this regard.
In response to the issue, the government has pledged to take action by creating fenced-off areas specifically for cattle herding. In July, President Bola Tinubu shared plans for a new ministry focused on livestock development that could potentially bring life back into abandoned grazing reserves according to Ngelzarma. However, as of now, no minister has been selected yet.
There are not as many places to visit.
Fulani herders own the majority of over 20 million cows in Nigeria, making it the fourth largest cattle population in Africa. Although its dairy market is worth $1.5 billion, imports meet almost 90% of local demand despite such a substantial quantity at hand as per US International Trade Administration statistics.
Abuja city’s atmosphere and local enterprises suffer adverse effects when traffic comes to a standstill due to cows crossing busy roads. Meanwhile, in other regions of Nigeria where farming and herding intersect with religious and ethnic boundaries – particularly the central and southern areas – conflicts arise between farmers and herdsmen concerning land ownership leading often towards violent altercations.
Ngelzarma and Festus Adebayo, the executive secretary of Housing Development Advocacy Network revealed that four grazing reserves located in the rural outskirts of Abuja lack infrastructure and have been illegally occupied by other farmers and settlers.
In the absence of operational reserves, herders establish settlements in various locations and occupy them for as long as possible until rightful owners or government authorities intervene.
Over the years, Mohammed Abbas, aged 67, has had to relocate multiple times. He presently resides in a neighbourhood called Life Camp within the city; however much of his current accommodation premises have been overtaken by a recently developed petrol station. Moreover he knows that any remaining land will soon be acquired by another individual.
Sitting outside his hut, he explained in Hausa that as a smallholder pastoralist, buying land for permanent settlement and ranching in Abuja was beyond his financial capacity. If he were to do so, it would necessitate selling all of his cows leaving nothing to graze on the purchased land.
Some pastoralists prefer to rebel.
Hassan Mohammed declared, “We will never abandon this place,” as his family currently resides on a narrow piece of land situated adjacent to a fresh housing zone near the Idu railway station. The expanse was once dense bushes; however, it has been replaced by extensive infrastructure and residential initiatives. Due to reduced resources required for cattle farming, Mohammed now works part-time driving trucks.
Mohammed refused to vacate the land despite multiple orders from its owners. He preferred using the remaining strip as his family’s home and taking their cattle for grazing elsewhere during daylight hours. The landowners have been pleading with the government to resettle Mohammed’s family, yet no action has taken place so far.
“According to Mohammed in Hausa, numerous individuals have nowhere to call their own residence and end up finding lodging with cattle for the night. However, we are resolved not to depart until there is a fresh accommodation available within Abuja.”
Creating space for both growth and cattle.
According to Folawiyo Daniel, a real estate developer based in Abuja who has faced challenges with pastoralists impeding his project development, the problem points towards a deficiency in urban planning.
“The problem isn’t real estate development,” he remarked and suggested that the government should restore grazing reserves within the city to cater for pastoralists.
Adebayo of the Housing Development Advocacy Network concurs, stating that Abuja’s minister Nyesom Wike must take action and demonstrate that resolving “the issue of open grazing in Abuja” is possible.
According to him, herders must either be relocated to their assigned work area or confined within specified private land.
The official in charge of animal farming at the agriculture ministry stated that they could not provide input on a substantial policy matter without authorization. Additionally, when asked for an interview, the spokesperson representing Abuja’s governing department refused to comply.
However, during the month of March, Wike responded to concerns raised by the Belgian ambassador in Nigeria regarding cattle wandering around Abuja’s streets. He stated that measures were being taken to put an end to unrestricted grazing but didn’t provide any exact information about these efforts.
Herders have indicated that they do not object to engaging in a regulated form of herding or following the model of an ordinary enterprise, where they purchase their own feed instead of relying on free access to pasture and water sources.
Cattle association leader Ngelzarma believes that the sector has been overlooked by the government, lacking comparable incentives to those of other businesses. He cites instances such as irrigation systems for crop growers and airport provisions for private airline companies which are subsidized by authorities.
