In a concerted effort to address the recurring clashes between herders and farmers across Nigeria, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in partnership with the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) and the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), convened a high-level policy review meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Themed “Livestock Policies in Nigeria: Implications for Peace, Security, and Reconciliation,” the First Quarter Policy Review Meeting brought together policymakers, religious leaders, academics, and civil society representatives to examine how livestock governance can promote peace and national cohesion.
Speaking at the event, IPCR Director-General, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said livestock production—though vital to Nigeria’s economy—has become a major trigger of violent conflict, displacement, and food insecurity. “We are all witnesses to the devastating impact of these clashes,” Ochogwu stated. “From loss of lives to destruction of property and disruption of food supply chains, the consequences are eroding national unity and fuelling organised crime.”
He noted that despite existing frameworks such as the National Livestock Transformation Plan (2019–2028) and the National Dairy Development Policy (2021), implementation gaps and lack of inclusivity have hindered progress.
Ochogwu stressed that inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches remain crucial to achieving sustainable peace. “Too many communities still view government efforts with scepticism. Policies that are not inclusive or culturally sensitive will continue to fall short,” he warned.
The meeting, held at the IPCR Director-General’s Conference Room, also explored how religious and traditional leaders can contribute to resolving disputes. “Religious leaders are trusted voices in times of crisis,” Ochogwu added. “By engaging them meaningfully in livestock governance, we build trust, legitimacy, and ownership at the community level.”
He urged stakeholders to measure policy success not only through economic metrics but by its impact on peace and human dignity.
Since 2016, IPCR and KAICIID have collaborated through initiatives such as the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), fostering dialogue platforms that promote tolerance and national stability.
Delivering a lead paper, Dr. Andrew Kwasari, President of SCL Future Food Systems, cautioned against viewing livestock reform purely as an economic initiative. “Livestock reform should not be pursued solely as an economic modernisation agenda, but as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s peace and stability strategy,” he said.
Kwasari called for peace-sensitive monitoring frameworks that assess not only productivity but also reductions in violence and improvements in intercommunal relations. “Monitoring must track not only productivity gains, but also conflict reduction and improved relations among communities,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr. Joseph Atang, KAICIID Country Expert, underscored the need to evaluate Nigeria’s livestock policies for conflict sensitivity. “If we do not understand whether our livestock policy mitigates or aggravates tensions, we cannot offer meaningful recommendations,” Atang noted.
He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as religious organisations, to integrate livestock policy into their programmes, emphasizing collective responsibility. “Our eyes may be on the Ministry of Livestock Development, but every stakeholder must play their part,” he said. “What are faith bodies like CAN and JNI doing to promote this policy within their constituencies?”
The session concluded with a call for stronger institutional collaboration and inclusive dialogue to ensure that livestock policies serve as instruments for peace rather than conflict. “This gathering is not just a policy review,” Dr. Ochogwu affirmed. “It is a moral and social obligation to ensure no Nigerian is left behind in our pursuit of peace.”
