POLICY BRIEF: OPEN GRAZING PROHIBITION LAWS IN NIGERIA; POLICY CHALLENGES AND ALTERNATIVES

Conflict between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders in Nigeria are not recent developments. They have existed for decades, amidst centuries of symbiotic and independent relationships, developed through reciprocity, other exchange and support.  However, its resurgence, especially since 1999 has remained frequent and deadly, reaching a crescendo between 2015 and 2019, and occasioning social dislocation, human displacement, loss of lives and livelihood, resulting in strained and rancorous relationship among hitherto peaceful neighbours. The enactment of laws by some state governments in Nigeria to regulate animal husbandry in their states is part of the strategic responses aimed at addressing the escalating conflict. However, the implementation of the laws has come with some policy changes that have had implications for public safety and security, national cohesion, and economy.