The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has urged the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to make livestock development a central component of its 2026 policies and programmes.
In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, the association commended the Commission for its efforts and achievements in rebuilding and rehabilitating the North East since its establishment.
KACRAN praised NEDC’s initiatives in infrastructure development, school and hospital renovation, housing construction, road and bridge reconstruction, as well as its support for internally displaced persons (IDPs). It also lauded the Commission’s training of forest guards, provision of utility vehicles to security agencies, and swift interventions during emergencies such as the Maiduguri floods.
While acknowledging these accomplishments, the association expressed concern that pastoralist communities have benefited little from the Commission’s interventions, despite being among the hardest hit by insecurity and insurgency in the region.
According to KACRAN, pastoralists—whose livelihoods depend entirely on livestock—have suffered severe losses, including killings and mass theft or destruction of their animals. The group noted that most of the Commission’s projects are urban-focused and fail to address the specific needs of herders living in rural areas.
The statement read: “A critical assessment reveals that North East pastoralists have received minimal direct benefits from the billions allocated to the region’s development. Most interventions target infrastructure that does not impact our communities.”
KACRAN called on the NEDC to urgently address this imbalance through targeted initiatives, including livestock distribution to affected herders, provision of animal feed, water points, and palliative support to internally displaced pastoralists.
The association further appealed to the Commission to institutionalise livestock development in its 2026 policies and programmes, describing it as key to fairness and inclusive growth.
“KACRAN believes that robust livestock development will enable pastoralist communities to rebuild their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the North East’s economic recovery,” the statement concluded.
