Fulani Journalists Urged to Champion Peace as Ngedam Fulɓe Tackles Farmers–Herders Conflict

Experts call for policy reforms, education, and functional ranching to end recurring clashes

By Kamal Hammajo | September 27, 2025

Gombe: The recurring conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria took center stage on the Ngedam Fulɓe program of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Jewel FM 103.5 MHz Gombe (Saturday 27 September, 2025). I had the privilege of participating as a guest discussant in the episode, which focused on the topic: “Finding Solutions to Farmers–Herders Conflict in Nigeria.” The discussion placed particular emphasis on the crucial role Fulani journalists can play in fostering peace and contributing to sustainable solutions.

Participants agreed that solving any problem requires a thorough understanding of its root causes. In this regard, the discussion identified several major factors fueling the farmers–herders crisis in Nigeria:

1. Population Growth and Land Pressure: Rapid population growth has pushed residential settlements to expand into former farmlands, displacing farmers from their original locations. In search of new land, many farmers have moved further into areas traditionally reserved for grazing. This shift, combined with the increased demand for food that expands farming activities, has led to the encroachment of grazing reserves and the blockage of traditional cattle routes, intensifying competition over land and escalating tensions between farmers and herders.
2. Corruption and Unfair Practices: Herders often face unjust charges for minor farm damages, sometimes leading to retaliatory actions such as the destruction of farmlands under the cover of night.
3. Limited Access to Education: A significant number of herders, mainly Fulani and others engaged in livestock rearing, still lack access to basic education, limiting their capacity to adapt to modern livestock management practices.
4. Misinformation on Social Media: Poor handling of conflict-related information online often escalates tensions, with incidents in one region sparking retaliatory attacks in others.
5. Government Neglect and Policy Gaps: Successive governments have failed to develop and implement policies that support pastoralism, including the establishment of new cattle routes and the maintenance of grazing reserves, many of which have been overtaken by farming activities.

After outlining these root causes, the program also examined potential solutions aimed at achieving lasting peace. Key recommendations included:

1. Establishment of Functional Ranches: Government should provide sufficient land equipped with necessary social amenities to develop fully functional cattle ranches, moving beyond politically motivated promises of grazing areas.
2. Protection of Cattle Routes: Authorities must secure and maintain cattle routes, including those used by transhumant herders who cross Nigerian territory annually.
3. Intensified Awareness and Education: Fulani organizations, in collaboration with government agencies and international partners, should intensify awareness campaigns on the benefits of ranching and ensure that education reaches both herders and farmers.
4. Empowerment of Traditional Institutions: Traditional councils should be granted the authority to manage matters related to grazing reserves and cattle routes, given their historical role in conflict resolution and community management.
5. During the discussion, I emphasized that population growth should not become a source of conflict between farmers and herders, two groups that have coexisted peacefully for centuries. The current tension is largely a result of governmental neglect and the failure to sustain policies and initiatives established by earlier leaders, who prioritized the development of grazing reserves and cattle routes.

The program concluded with a collective call on all stakeholders to embrace practical measures that promote lasting peace. Both farmers and herders were urged to adopt modern agricultural and livestock practices, with particular emphasis on the transition of pastoralists to ranching as a more sustainable and peaceful system of livestock management.

These highlights reflect part of our conversation. In a subsequent segment, we further examined the responsibilities of Fulani journalists in advancing dialogue and promoting practical solutions to this long-standing challenge.