As part of its renewed strategy to modernize Nigeria’s livestock ecosystem, the Federal Government has unveiled plans to rehabilitate the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve in Gombe State — a 144,000-hectare expanse set to become a benchmark for sustainable livestock development.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known during a recent inspection visit to the reserve on Friday, June 13, 2025, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to transforming grazing reserves into thriving, functional settlements that promote productivity, peaceful coexistence, and rural prosperity.

Infrastructure Overhaul to Begin

The revitalization initiative will involve the restoration and development of key infrastructure, including:

• Road networks to enhance mobility within the reserve
• A veterinary clinic and a primary health centre to improve animal and human health
• Solar-powered energy systems
• Classrooms to support educational needs of residents
• Provision of water for both people and livestock

Minister Maiha described Wawa-Zange as a vital national asset, currently home to over 5,000 herders engaged in crop cultivation and livestock rearing. “By all standards, these communities deserve the full spectrum of infrastructure a modern grazing reserve should offer,” he said.

Breed Improvement and Climate Resilience

The federal intervention will also include the establishment of breed enhancement centres, structured pasture systems, and alternative livelihood services aimed at minimizing seasonal migration. These efforts align with national goals to promote climate-smart agriculture, reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems, and support sustainable livelihoods.

Shared Land Use for Peacebuilding

In a bid to reduce tensions between farmers and herders, the Minister outlined an inclusive approach that promotes land sharing instead of forced displacement. Under this system:

• Farmers may offer crop residues as feed for livestock
• Herders will provide organic manure to enrich farmlands

This model of mutual benefit is expected to improve farmer-herder relations while enhancing productivity across both value chains.

Broader National Strategy

The Wawa-Zange rehabilitation is part of the broader National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which seeks to restore and optimize 417 grazing reserves nationwide. The strategy aims to:

• Create jobs within the livestock value chain
• Increase food security
• Curb greenhouse gas emissions from nomadic herding
• Drive Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda

It follows the successful launch of the Wase Livestock Village in Plateau State earlier in May 2025 — a model that’s already earning national attention for its integrated, community-driven livestock development.

State Collaboration and Way Forward

During his visit, the Minister also met with the Governor of Gombe State, H.E. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, to strengthen partnerships and discuss joint implementation pathways.

The Federal Government’s commitment to revamping Wawa-Zange signals a decisive step toward repositioning Nigeria’s livestock sector as a key driver of rural development, climate resilience, and economic transformation.