AN EXAMINATION OF THE CRISIS BETWEEN THE FULANI HERDSMEN AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This research examines the crisis between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria from a legal perspective. The research discusses the causes of the conflict and the legislations enacted to curtail the conflict. The research finds that that the destruction of crops and other properties by cattle and cattle herders are the main direct cause for the conflict. The research finds that some states of the federation such as Ekiti, Benue, Taraba and Kwara State enacted an Anti-grazing bill to curtail the conflict, which was shown to be constitutional. The research also discusses the proposed National Grazing Reserve bill by the Federal Government. It was shown from the research that the bill contains provisions that impliedly allows the federal government to take over state lands without the consent of the state. Based on the above findings, the research therefore recommends that a new legislation should be developed which will be comprehensive and must be mutually beneficial to pastorialists and farmers, noting that any policy that does not take into consideration the welfare of both sides will most likely fail or meet with resistance from either side. The government should make efforts in establishing reserves for cattle herders. This will go a long way in solving the needs of cattle herders in the country.

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urn:uuid:192b22ee-3544-4ad1-8af8-f20bcdd387d5