Fulani Group Urges Protection for ₦30 Trillion Livestock Economy

The Fulani group, represented by General Secretary Abdullahi Ardo on behalf of President Dr. Huseini Buzaye, held a press conference in Abuja, demanding the protection of their ₦30 trillion livestock economy and an end to the profiling and marginalization of pastoralists. Ardo criticized the dangerous stereotyping of Fulani pastoralists as criminals, linking them to banditry and terrorism.

He highlighted the recent surge in attacks in states such as Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, where hundreds of pastoralists have been killed and thousands of cattle rustled without national outrage or government intervention. The group called for an independent investigation into these attacks, security protection under the 1999 Constitution, and immediate relief materials from relevant agencies.

They commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development but expressed concerns over its underfunding. The association urged the government to allocate at least 30 percent of the national agricultural budget to the ministry and to protect designated grazing reserves.