President Bola Tinubu on Monday said banditry and terrorism are weighing heavily on Nigeria’s economy, stressing that his administration would pursue ranching and livestock reforms alongside stronger security measures to end persistent farmer-herder conflicts.
The President spoke at the opening of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where he expressed confidence that the meeting would yield practical resolutions on dairy farming, livestock investment, ranch development and agricultural diversification.
“I’m confident that the resolution of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches and diversification of our agricultural produce. I promise you here, I will play my part. I promise Nigeria that this will be delivered,” Tinubu said.
He described the transformation of the livestock sector as a security imperative, noting that banditry and terrorism are alien to Nigerian values and pose serious economic threats if not urgently addressed.
“To further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry, that is what has kept all of us sleepless at night. But I assure you that we will win with determination and resilience,” he stated.
Calling the violence unacceptable, Tinubu added that failure to address it decisively would continue to undermine economic stability and rural livelihoods.
The President’s remarks come amid fresh waves of attacks across parts of the country, including the February 3 killings in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where over 160 residents were reportedly killed by suspected extremists. The attackers were said to have targeted the communities after residents resisted demands to adopt a strict version of Sharia law.
On the same day, no fewer than 20 people were killed in Doma communities in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State after a community-led peace arrangement reportedly broke down.
Tinubu commended state governors for their roles in tackling insecurity, particularly those of Borno and Katsina states, for what he described as efforts to protect lives and preserve the commonwealth.
He recalled his December 10, 2025 directive to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to draw up a roadmap for overhauling Nigeria’s livestock industry through ranching.
At the Federal Executive Council meeting on that date, Tinubu instructed Shettima, who chairs the NEC, to engage governors and stakeholders on the implementation of ranching reforms. He also directed the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to identify grazing areas and communities that could be upgraded into modern ranches.
“We must eliminate these areas of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” the President had said.
In response, the NEC at its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025, set up a Livestock Development Committee chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, with membership drawn from the six geopolitical zones, to accelerate ranching and livestock production reforms nationwide.
Tinubu arrived at the conference at 12:12 pm and formally declared the event open.
Vice President Shettima is presiding over the conference, convened by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, under the theme, ‘Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.’
The February 9–10 conference is expected to focus on fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation and collaborative development strategies between the federal and state governments.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the NEC, Dr Deborah Odo, the forum is designed to address key national economic issues aimed at stimulating inclusive growth across the country.
Governors, senior government officials, development partners and private-sector stakeholders are attending as part of efforts to advance reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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