The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, presided over the 156th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Naijaonpoint reports that the meeting, which commenced at 4:17pm, marked the second NEC gathering since Bola Tinubu directed the council to identify and rehabilitate grazing reserves across the country with a view to converting them into modern ranches.
President Tinubu issued the directive during a Federal Executive Council meeting held on December 10, 2025, tasking the NEC to work closely with the Ministry of Livestock Development to produce a comprehensive roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there. Let’s utilise it,” Tinubu had said.
The President stressed that the reform was aimed at reducing farmer-herder conflicts while unlocking economic opportunities in the livestock value chain.
At its 155th meeting held on December 18, 2025, the NEC responded by inaugurating a committee on livestock development to fast-track the implementation of livestock production and ranching reforms nationwide.
The committee is chaired by Nasir Idris, the Governor of Kebbi State.
The committee comprises representatives drawn from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, with states selected as follows:
Bauchi State for the North-East,
Niger State for the North-Central,
Ondo State for the South-West,
Imo State for the South-East,
Cross River State for the South-South, and
Kebbi State for the North-West.
Other members include the Ministers of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness.
The committee has been tasked to review recommendations from the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee and the Ministry of Livestock Development, as well as identify states willing to participate in the implementation of the livestock and ranching programme.