The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has announced the Federal Government’s plan to revitalise the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve in Gombe State, as part of broader efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Maiha made the disclosure during a weekend inspection tour of the 144,000-hectare reserve, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the state of its infrastructure. He noted that ongoing rehabilitation works include the reconstruction of road networks, primary healthcare centres, a veterinary clinic, classrooms, solar power systems, and water facilities for both humans and animals.
According to the minister, the initiative falls under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which aims to revive 417 grazing reserves nationwide. “The Tinubu administration is committed to adding value to our grazing reserves and bringing them up to international standards to make livestock production more attractive and profitable,” he said.
The Wawa-Zange reserve currently supports over 5,000 herders engaged in both crop and livestock farming. Upon completion, it is expected to house breed improvement centres, encourage pasture development, and reduce seasonal migration of herders — a key contributor to conflicts and environmental stress.
Maiha recalled that the government had earlier launched the Wase Livestock Village in Plateau State, describing it as a model for future integrated livestock settlements.
The revitalisation of Wawa-Zange and other reserves is projected to create jobs along the livestock value chain, enhance food security, curb greenhouse gas emissions from nomadic herding, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification drive.
