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By Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government has revealed plans to construct 19 new earth dams at the Kawu Grazing Reserve in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja under the 2026 budget.
This, according to the Ministry of Livestock Development, is expected to transform meat production and reduce urban migration of herders in the country.
This directive came just 48 hours after the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, visited the reserve to assess its facilities. At present, the reserve relies on only one dam to service thousands of animals, a situation that has strained pastoral activities and limited the potential of the grazing site.
Maiha noted that the additional facility would make water available all year round for the over 35,000 animals in the reserve.
It will also support food production in the country.
According to him, the project is particularly aimed at boosting pasture cultivation during the dry season, thereby improving feed supply and reducing conflicts over resources.
“Once water, pasture, and security are provided in the area, no herder will need to be persuaded to relocate from the city centre,” Maiha stated, underscoring the government’s intention to create conditions that make permanent settlement at reserves more attractive.
The minister also pledged to work in partnership with other key stakeholders. “We will work closely with our counterparts in the FCT, Agric, and security agencies to achieve this goal,” he said, pointing to a coordinated approach that will combine infrastructure development with security measures.
Nigeria has struggled for decades to manage the movement of pastoralists, with seasonal migrations often bringing herders into conflict with farmers in various parts of the country. The lack of dedicated infrastructure in grazing reserves has made many herders reluctant to stay in such areas, opting instead for open grazing across farmlands.
The provision of water infrastructure, alongside pasture and security, is a critical step toward addressing this challenge. The planned 19 dams at Kawu are therefore not only about improving livestock productivity but also about easing the longstanding farmer-herder crisis.
The initiative also reflects the broader push by the Federal Government to strengthen the livestock sector, which contributes significantly to Nigeria’s food security and rural economy. By investing in grazing reserves, authorities hope to modernize livestock management, encourage ranching, and reduce dependence on open grazing.
A Kaduna-based agriculture expert, La’ah Dauda, noted that “if properly implemented, the Kawu project could serve as a model for similar reserves across the country. With water, fodder, and security guaranteed, reserves like Kawu could attract pastoralists who might otherwise resist government appeals to leave crowded city centres.”
The announcement of the 19 new earth dams was formally communicated in a statement issued on Monday by Benjamin Bem Goong, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Livestock Development.