The United Nations General Assembly’s declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) represents a landmark global acknowledgement of the indispensable role that rangelands and pastoral communities play in ensuring food security, environmental stewardship, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Across the world, governments are being encouraged to recognise pastoralism not as an outdated production system but as an indispensable component of sustainable development and resilient food systems. It is therefore both timely and commendable that the Niger State Government has translated this global vision into concrete action by designating 23rd August as annual Pastoralists’ Day. Far more than a ceremonial event, the initiative sets a national benchmark by recognising a sector that has sustained Nigeria’s economy, nourished its people and supported rural livelihoods for generations. It also poses a compelling challenge to the rest of the federation: if Niger State has taken this visionary step in harmony with the global aspirations of the United Nations, why should the remaining 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory not follow its example? Pastoralism is not merely a traditional occupation; it is one of the pillars upon which Nigeria’s agricultural economy rests. Every day, millions of Nigerians consume beef, milk and other livestock products without pausing to consider the complex production system that makes them available. Behind every kilogramme of beef in our markets and every litre of fresh milk lies the dedication of pastoral families who have, for generations, converted Nigeria’s vast marginal lands into high-quality animal protein while supporting countless economic activities across the country. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), agriculture contributes about 28 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, while livestock accounts for approximately 21 per cent of agricultural GDP, making it one of the country’s most valuable agricultural sub-sectors. Agriculture also provides employment for roughly 40 per cent of Nigeria’s labour force, with millions of these jobs directly or indirectly dependent on livestock production. Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest livestock populations, with over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep and more than 1.4 million goats, besides millions of poultry. These animals represent assets worth several trillions of naira and sustain an extensive value chain that includes veterinary services, feed manufacturing, transportation, meat processing, leather production, dairy industries, marketing and export. Importantly, the overwhelming majority of Nigeria’s cattle are managed under pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems. Without pastoralists, Nigeria’s meat, dairy and leather industries would simply not function at their present scale. The nutritional significance of pastoralism is equally profound. Livestock products provide high-quality protein, calcium, iron, zinc and essential vitamins required for healthy growth and human development. Yet Nigeria currently produces only about 700,000 tonnes of milk annually against an estimated national demand of over 1.6 million tonnes, forcing the country to spend approximately US$1.5 billion each year importing dairy products. These figures underscore the need to celebrate and encourage those who remain at its foundation. Pastoralism is also one of Nigeria’s most geographically integrated economic activities. Livestock raised in the savannahs of northern Nigeria supplies households, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and processing industries across every geopolitical zone. Whether in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Kano or Maiduguri, consumers depend daily on livestock produced through pastoral systems. Few sectors demonstrate such nationwide economic integration. For this reason, declaring a Pastoralists’ Day is about acknowledging an entire economic ecosystem that contributes significantly to food security, employment, industrial growth and national development. Public discourse has disproportionately portrayed pastoralists through the prism of insecurity and communal conflict, obscuring the contributions of millions of peaceful livestock producers. While criminality must always be condemned regardless of ethnicity or occupation, fairness equally requires that an entire profession should not be judged by the actions of a criminal minority. Indeed, countless pastoral families have themselves become victims of cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks. An annual Pastoralists’ Day would provide state governments with a unique platform to promote dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding and foster peaceful coexistence among pastoralists, crop farmers, traditional institutions, researchers, policymakers and security agencies. Such engagement would help replace stereotypes with facts a
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