Africa
My Thoughts on the Farmer-Herder Conflict and Climate Change in Nigeria -By Aliyu Ubangida
For me, this conflict is a clear warning. Climate change is not only an environmental issue. It is also a security issue, a peace issue, and a survival issue. If Nigeria gets it right with ranching, other African countries may learn from us. But if we fail, violence may continue and spread.
The conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria is not just about land. It is about survival in a changing climate. Rising temperatures, shrinking farmland, and scarce water have turned neighbors into rivals. What used to be small disputes have now grown into deadly clashes that affect thousands of families.
I believe climate change is making this situation worse. In places like the Sahel, which stretches across Africa, heat is rising faster than the global average. For farmers, this means less fertile land. For herders, it means fewer pastures for their animals. Both groups depend on the land to live, so when resources shrink, the struggle becomes more intense.
Sadly, the government’s response in the past has not solved the problem. Laws like the anti-grazing ban in Benue State only shifted the conflict to other areas. Deploying the military may calm violence for a short time, but it does not deal with the real issue: the scarcity of land and water. People cannot fight forever, but without a real solution, that is what will keep happening.
In 2019, the government introduced the National Livestock Transformation Plan. The idea is to stop open grazing and move toward modern ranching. On paper, it looks good. It promises jobs, protected farmland, and safer communities. If successful, it could reduce the clashes and even serve as a model for other African countries.
But progress has been slow, and challenges remain. Many herders fear losing their way of life. Farmers worry their land will be taken. Security in rural areas is still weak, and political uncertainty may affect the future of the program.
For me, this conflict is a clear warning. Climate change is not only an environmental issue. It is also a security issue, a peace issue, and a survival issue. If Nigeria gets it right with ranching, other African countries may learn from us. But if we fail, violence may continue and spread.
The solution, I believe, lies in building trust, protecting communities, and planning ahead. Ranching could work, but only if both farmers and herders feel it is fair. The government must also show consistency, no matter which party is in power. Without these, the cycle of violence may remain.
In the end, Nigeria’s struggle reflects a bigger question: how will Africa face the challenges of climate change while protecting its people? The answer is not simple, but we cannot afford to ignore it.
