Imo State has declared that open cattle grazing within Owerri city limits will be banned from July 24, 2025, according to Anthony Mgbeahurike, Commissioner for Livestock Development. The move aims to improve urban order and protect residents’ livelihoods amid escalating conflicts over grazing practices.
State Governor Hope Uzodinma swiftly echoed the directive, urging harmony among farmers and herders despite ethnic or religious differences. He heralded continued support for pastoralists, including free anthrax vaccinations, designed to enhance livestock well-being.
Mgbeahurike emphasized that grazing within city limits has disrupted daily life and economic activity in the capital. He mandated that herders obtain permission, avoid crop damage, and compensate farmers for any losses sustained.
Newly appointed herders’ leader, Alhaji Shuaibu, expressed regret over previous rule breaches and pledged full compliance with the forthcoming regulations. “We will respect the policy and ensure a clean, peaceful Imo State,” he assured officials.
Critics see the policy as overdue. An activist from Imo’s Nchekwa Ndi Ogbenye Foundation has threatened legal action, arguing the government previously neglected enforcement of its 2006 grazing prohibition law.
The directive aligns with federal efforts: Nigeria’s 2025 budget includes ₦315 million for ranches in several states—including Imo—to phase out open grazing and reduce farmer-herder conflicts.
Experts warn that for the policy to succeed, enforcement must be consistent and rural ranches properly mapped—echoing calls by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association for updated livestock data to prevent overgrazing near urban areas.
