President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the Presidential Adviser and Coordinator of Presidential Livestock Reforms.
The announcement was made by Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, through his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
Jega, who served as INEC Chairman from 2010 to 2015 and played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 2015 general elections, will now take on the task of addressing one of the nation’s most pressing issues—farmers-herders clashes. His appointment is part of Tinubu’s broader efforts to restructure Nigeria’s livestock sector and find lasting solutions to the conflicts between farmers and nomadic cattle herders.
In July 2024, Tinubu established the Ministry of Livestock Development to tackle these long-standing disputes through sector-focused policies. Following recommendations from the National Livestock Reforms Committee, the ministry was tasked with implementing measures to modernize livestock farming, create designated grazing reserves, and introduce sustainable ranching systems to reduce land-use conflicts.
The government also aims to enhance meat and dairy production while improving security to curb violent clashes.
Jega’s appointment has generated mixed reactions across political and agricultural sectors. While some believe his experience in governance and reform will be valuable in resolving the crisis, others remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the government’s approach.
As the administration pushes forward with its livestock reforms, many will be watching closely to see if this move can bring meaningful change to a sector plagued by decades of conflict.
