Farmers, Herders Receive Conflict Prevention Training in Northeast Nigeria

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By Adamu Aliyu Ngulde 

Nigerian authorities and peacebuilding experts have launched a five-day training programme aimed at reducing violent conflicts between farmers and herders in Borno State, as communities prepare for the peak of the farming season.

The workshop, organised by the Borno State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), brings together farmers, pastoralists, traditional rulers, community leaders, security stakeholders and government officials to strengthen dialogue, promote peaceful coexistence and improve mechanisms for resolving disputes over land and grazing resources.

Recurring clashes between farming and pastoral communities have disrupted livelihoods, displaced families and undermined agricultural production in several parts of Nigeria. Organisers said the training is intended to address the underlying causes of such conflicts by encouraging communication, mediation and collaborative resource management.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Borno State L-PRES Coordinator Makinta Ali said the programme reflects the government's commitment to preventing conflicts before they escalate into violence. He said building trust among communities is essential for improving livestock production, protecting farming activities and strengthening food security.

Ali urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training within their communities, stressing that peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders is critical to sustainable rural development and economic growth.

Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Joseph Ochogwu, described dialogue and community engagement as effective tools for preventing disputes. He encouraged participants to embrace mediation and early-warning approaches to resolve disagreements before they become violent.

Ochogwu said collaboration among government institutions, local leaders and community members is vital to addressing long-standing tensions between farmers and pastoralists, adding that sustainable peace depends on mutual respect and inclusive decision-making.

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Livestock Development, Tijjani Goni, reaffirmed the state government's commitment to improving livestock development while promoting peaceful relations between pastoral and farming communities.

He said the training aligns with broader efforts to modernise the livestock sector, reduce competition over natural resources and create an environment where both farmers and herders can pursue their livelihoods without fear of conflict.

Participants are expected to develop practical action plans that will support conflict prevention, strengthen local peacebuilding structures and encourage cooperation between farming and pastoral communities across Borno State.

The initiative forms part of wider efforts under the L-PRES programme to improve livestock productivity, enhance resilience and support sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria's conflict-affected northeast.

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