Cattle breeders in Oyo State have given the state government a two-week ultimatum to address their grievances over the enforcement of the Oyo State Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Prohibition Law (2019) or risk an indefinite shutdown of livestock-related businesses.
The ultimatum, which took effect on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, was issued during a media parley at Akinyele in Ibadan by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria, and other socio-cultural associations in the cattle business value chain.
The groups warned that failure to address their concerns would lead to the suspension of milk, cow, goat, and ram sales, as well as the closure of butcheries, intermediary businesses, and all cattle markets across the state.
They complained that even cattle not grazed in open fields were being seized by enforcement teams, describing the government’s approach as excessive.
MACBAN Chairman in Oyo State, Alhaji Ibrahim Jiji, said cattle breeders were frustrated with the manner in which the law was being enforced. He appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to “have compassion on Fulani cattle breeders,” citing years of peaceful coexistence and their contributions to the state’s security and economy.
According to him, the grievances include the seizure of cattle in enclosed settlements, the imposition of heavy fines, and the prosecution of owners in court.
“Cattle breeders felt they were not consulted before the law’s implementation began,” Jiji explained, adding that purchasing land for ranching had been nearly impossible because locals refused to sell to them. He stressed that there was a need for viable ranching alternatives.
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Jiji further stated that Fulani breeders had resolved that if the government failed to meet with them within the two-week period, they would halt livestock product sales and shut down the entire value chain indefinitely.
South-West Woman Leader of MACBAN, Hajia Aminat Idris, also appealed to the government, saying, “If there’s no peace for us cattle breeders, there’s no peace for those in the value chain.”
South-West Leader of the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria, Olagoke Lateef Apata, said, “We’re not against the law, but the enforcers are doing beyond what the law says
Chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, Alhaji Sanni Mohammed, called on the governor to intervene.
“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.
The Oyo State government had in 2024 established the Oyo State Rule of Law and Enforcement Authority to implement various laws, including those against open cattle grazing, traffic violations, open defecation, and indiscriminate waste disposal.
