The Ogun State Government has issued a directive requiring all herders operating within the state to register with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security by March 31, 2025. This initiative, overseen by the Department of Veterinary Services, aims to enhance security, improve livestock management, and prevent conflicts between herders and local communities.

Registration to Improve Livestock Sector Governance

According to Kehinde Jokotoye, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the registration process is being conducted in collaboration with the South West Commodity Farmers Organisation (Ogun Chapter). Establishing a comprehensive database of herders is expected to facilitate better regulation, streamline access to government support, and promote sustainable livestock farming.

Beyond herders’ registration, the Ogun State Government has also raised concerns about unregulated veterinary practices and livestock markets. The state has discovered that several private veterinary practitioners, pharmaceutical vendors, slaughter slabs, and live bird and cattle markets are operating without the necessary licenses from the Department of Veterinary Services.

Crackdown on Illegal Livestock Activities

Jokotoye warned that any individuals or businesses engaged in unauthorized operations must comply with regulatory requirements or face legal action under the Animal Disease Control Act of 2022. She emphasized that obtaining proper registration, licenses, and approvals is mandatory for all stakeholders in the livestock value chain.

With Ogun State taking proactive measures to regulate livestock farming, improve security, and uphold food safety standards, stakeholders are encouraged to register before the March 31 deadline to avoid potential penalties.

What This Means for Livestock Farmers

• Enhanced security and conflict resolution through proper herder identification.
• Increased access to government support, subsidies, and incentives for registered herders.
• Regulation of veterinary services and livestock markets to ensure compliance with food safety laws.
• Legal enforcement against unlicensed practitioners and markets to promote a structured livestock industry.

For livestock stakeholders in Ogun State, this presents a crucial opportunity to regularize their operations, improve compliance, and benefit from government initiatives.

📢 Do you think livestock registration can help mitigate conflicts and improve productivity? Share your thoughts in the comments!