President Bola Tinubu on Monday said banditry and terrorism are exacting a heavy toll on Nigeria’s economy, declaring that ranching and livestock reforms would be central to ending the protracted farmer-herder conflicts fuelling insecurity across the country.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President expressed optimism that the meeting would produce firm, actionable resolutions on dairy farming, ranch development, livestock investment 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 linked the need to reform the livestock sector directly to national security, describing banditry and terrorism as alien to Nigerian values and a major economic setback that must be urgently confronted.
“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.
Tinubu stressed that unless decisive steps were taken, insecurity would continue to undermine rural livelihoods, food production and economic stability.
His remarks come against the backdrop of renewed attacks in several states, notably the February 3 massacre in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where over 160 residents were reportedly killed by suspected extremists after resisting demands to adopt a hardline version of Sharia law.
On the same day, bandits also killed at least 20 people in Doma communities in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State following the collapse of a local peace arrangement.
The President commended state governors for their efforts in tackling insecurity, singling out the governors of Borno and Katsina states for what he described as their commitment to defending lives and protecting the commonwealth.
Tinubu recalled his December 10, 2025 directive to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to produce a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry through ranching.
At the Federal Executive Council meeting on that date, he instructed Shettima, who chairs the NEC, to engage governors and stakeholders on implementing ranching reforms. He also directed the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to identify grazing areas and communities that could be converted 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,” Tinubu had said.
Following the directive, the NEC at its 155th meeting on December 18, 2025, inaugurated a Livestock Development Committee chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, with representation from the six geopolitical zones, to fast-track ranching and livestock production reforms nationwide.
Tinubu arrived at the venue at 12:12 pm before formally declaring the second edition of the NEC conference 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 conference, holding on February 9 and 10, is expected to address 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 focused on key economic issues aimed at promoting inclusive growth across the country.
Governors, senior government officials, development partners and private-sector leaders are participating as part of efforts to deepen reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.