Former Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, has stated that the persistent farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria has deep political undertones that complicate its resolution. Speaking at the 42nd Annual Olumide Lectures (OML), organized by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Abuja, Osinbajo stressed that the issue is not only environmental but also highly politicized, which has impeded efforts to find a lasting solution.

Osinbajo shared insights into the steps taken by his administration to address the crisis, highlighting the creation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). This plan, which was endorsed by all 36 state governments, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aimed to control the movement of livestock and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders.

According to Osinbajo, the successful implementation of the NLTP could significantly mitigate the violent clashes that have plagued Nigeria for years. “As you know, the farmer-herder issue is seriously politicized, and there are also some political implications. But we were able to get an agreement from all 36 state governments, including Abuja, on the National Livestock Transformation Plan. I believe that the implementation of this plan will positively contribute to resolving the farmer-herder crisis,” he remarked.

The former vice president underscored that one of the major drivers of herder migration is climate change. He explained that desertification and the drying up of wetlands have forced herders to move south in search of grazing land, leading to conflicts with farmers.

“It’s also true that the farmer-herder crisis is climate-change-related, primarily due to desertification and the drying up of wetlands. For example, the Lake Chad region, which once covered 35,000 square kilometers, has now shrunk to about 2,000 square kilometers. This has displaced many who used to farm or fish in the area, pushing them to seek alternatives. The shrinking of Lake Chad is a significant factor contributing to these clashes. There’s no doubt that environmental degradation, especially desertification, has a strong correlation with the farmer-herder conflict,” Osinbajo said.

Osinbajo believes that the NLTP is a comprehensive solution to address both the environmental and political aspects of the crisis. “We developed the National Livestock Transformation Plan with the consensus of all state governments. It took time to gather that consensus, but I am confident that if implemented, it will play a crucial role in resolving the problem,” he added.

Beyond the farmer-herder crisis, Osinbajo also touched on another significant environmental issue in Nigeria—gas flaring. He advocated for the commercialization of flared gas, pointing out that while gas flaring is a global problem, it is not without solutions. He referenced ongoing efforts to transform gas flaring into a commercially viable venture in Nigeria, which could provide significant economic and environmental benefits.

“Gas flaring is a major problem across the world, with countries like Russia, the US, Venezuela, and Angola being some of the worst offenders. In Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta, gas flaring is causing severe pollution. However, we tried to develop a solution by commercializing the gas that is being flared. A bill was introduced to support companies that are interested in collecting and selling this gas,” Osinbajo explained.

He noted that smaller oil companies have already expressed interest in taking up the initiative. “Several small oil companies have taken up bids to collect gas from specific wells and sell it in commercial quantities. The idea is that if there’s a commercial benefit to reducing gas flaring, it will encourage more companies to participate and reduce the overall problem,” he said.

While recognizing that the commercialization of gas flaring may not fully eradicate the problem, Osinbajo emphasized that it would significantly reduce its impact. “Even if commercialization doesn’t entirely solve the problem, it will reduce gas flaring. This is especially important in the Niger Delta, where pollution from flaring is a major issue. I hope that this project moves forward, as it has the potential to mitigate one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges,” he concluded.