Cattle breeders in Oyo State have threatened to halt milk, cow, goat, and ram sales in the state within two weeks unless the state government grants them the opportunity to lease lands to grow their cattle as a means to preventing open grazing.
They gave the government a two-week ultimatum, effective from Tuesday, 12 August to 26 August, 2025, to address concerns over anti-open grazing laws, declaring that they will shut down cow markets at the expiration of the ultimatum.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) led by Alh. Yusuf Haruna; the National Association of Cattle Dealers Processor and Marketers of Nigeria, among others announced two-week ultimatum at a media parley held in Akinyele, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
The ultimatum followed the implementation of the Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Prohibition Laws of Oyo State (2019) by an agency of state government, known as the Oyo State Rule of Law and Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA).
The cattle breeders alleged indiscriminate arrest of their cows and its tenders by officials of the State Rule of Law.
They also claimed that, as at last July, over 40 Fulanis tendering animals have been sent to the Agodi Prisons, with cow owners paying millions of naira as fines to secure their release on weekly basis.
The cattle breeders called on the government to address their grievances, failing which they threatened to embark on the indefinite strike.
Speakers at the parley complained that their cattle that were not grazed in open places were being arrested by the state taskforce.
The MACBAN chairman in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Jiji and Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) under Alhaji Yusuf Haruna, expressed frustration over the implementation of the Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Prohibition Laws of Oyo State (2019).
Both Alhaji Ibrahim Jaji and Alhaji Yusuf Haruna appealed to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde to have mercy on Fulani cattle breeders, citing many years of peaceful coexistence and contributions to state security and economy.
The cattle breeders listed their grievances and concerns to include enforcement of the Anti-Open Rearing Grazing Prohibition Law of the state.
They described the enforcement of the law as harsh, with cattle being allegedly seized in their enclosed settlements, heavy fines imposed, and prosecution of their owners in court.
Alhaji Jaji stated that the cattle breeders felt they were not consulted before the implementation of the law began.
Yusuf Haruna added that it has been difficult for cattle breeders to buy land in the state for their business for ranching because indigenes have not be selling land to them.
The duo emphasised that ranching alternatives are needed to support the cattle breeders.
Jaji specifically said Fulanis in the state have agreed that, if the government failed to meet their demands by having a meeting with them within two weeks, effective from Tuesday, they would halt the milk, cow, goat, and ram sales in the state.
They have also decided to, as well, shut down butcheries and intermediary businesses, and also close all cattle markets in the state until further notice.
South-West Woman Leader of MACBAN, Hajia Aminat Idris, who appealed to the government to have mercies on the cattle breeders, said: “If there’s no peace for us cattle breeders, there’s no peace for those in the value chain.”
South-West Leader, National Association of Cattle Dealers Processor and Marketers of Nigeria, Olagoke Lateef Apata, also stated: “We’re not against the law, but the enforcers are doing beyond what the law says.”
Chairman, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, Alhaji Sanni Mohammed, also appealed to the government to end the sufferings of the cattle breeders.
“I appeal to the governor to have mercy on us… This is where we get money to feed and train our children. We don’t know any other business we can do. The government should look for a way to accommodate us in the scheme of things,” he said.
