The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s plan to acquire land in Imo State and other South East states for the establishment of cattle ranches. This move is part of the proposed 2025 national budget, which the union has criticized as unfair and discriminatory, particularly against the people of the South East region.
In a statement issued by its National President, Chief Emeka Diwe, ASITU expressed deep concern over the implications of this policy. The union believes that cattle ranching is a private business and should not be funded or managed by the government. ASITU further argued that the federal government’s intervention in this area is suspicious, provocative, and unjust, given the challenges faced by Igbo traders and entrepreneurs in securing land for their businesses.
The Federal Government’s plan involves acquiring large parcels of land in the South East region to create ranches for cattle farming. The ranches would be funded under the 2025 national budget. However, ASITU believes this policy raises several concerns regarding its fairness and legality.
The union argued that, unlike other businesses in Nigeria, cattle rearing is largely a private enterprise controlled by a specific ethnic group in the country. ASITU questioned why the government would prioritize such a venture while other businesses, particularly those operated by Igbo people, do not receive similar support.
“Cattle rearing, as a private enterprise, should not be the responsibility of the Nigerian government to fund or manage,” Chief Diwe stated. “It is well known that livestock farming is a private business, and the cattle rearing segment is primarily dominated by a particular ethnic group.”
One of the central points of ASITU’s opposition to the plan is the issue of land scarcity in the South East. The region is already under significant pressure from growing demands for agricultural space, urban development, and infrastructure. In this context, the idea of allocating more land to private ranching, particularly for an industry dominated by another ethnic group, is seen as unfair and unacceptable by the union.
“Our communities are already under intense pressure to provide land for farming, housing, and infrastructure development,” ASITU pointed out. “Allocating our limited land resources to private ranches would only add to the strain and is completely unjust.”
The South East, like many other regions of Nigeria, faces challenges related to urbanization and agricultural needs. Many towns and villages in the area are experiencing rapid population growth, further intensifying the demand for land. In such an environment, ASITU believes that taking land for private cattle ranching will only worsen the already difficult situation for local residents.
ASITU also raised concerns about the inequality between the treatment of cattle ranchers and Igbo businessmen, who often face considerable obstacles when trying to acquire land for their ventures. According to the union, Igbo entrepreneurs across Nigeria face difficulties in securing land for business purposes, often without any support from the federal government. In some cases, land that has been purchased by Igbo traders has been forcibly taken away by local governments or state authorities.
“Igbo people who are doing business in other parts of Nigeria have to go through the rigorous process of acquiring land and setting up their businesses, often without federal assistance,” Chief Diwe said. “Yet, we see the government providing special treatment for cattle ranchers. Why are they being given such privileges?”
The union pointed out that Igbo traders do not receive any government backing when they seek land for their businesses. In contrast, cattle ranchers are receiving government support for a private industry. ASITU described this as a clear case of discrimination, with the government seemingly favoring one ethnic group over others.
ASITU warned that the government’s cattle ranching proposal could worsen ethnic tensions and exacerbate feelings of marginalization among the people of the South East. The union argued that the plan would create a perception that the government is prioritizing the business interests of one group over the needs of others, further deepening the divide between the regions of Nigeria.
“The proposed ranching initiative brings back the painful memories of the continued marginalization of the Igbo people,” the statement read. “It is deeply troubling that the government is willing to take land from indigenous communities for the benefit of private businesses owned by a particular group. This cannot and will not be accepted.”
The union expressed fears that the government’s actions could lead to more division among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups, which could ultimately hinder efforts toward national unity and reconciliation.
In its statement, ASITU called for an immediate halt to the Federal Government’s cattle ranching initiative in the South East. The union urged the government to reconsider its priorities and to focus on policies that promote fairness, economic growth, and national unity. The group emphasized that land is a precious resource in the South East and should not be used to advance the interests of private individuals or businesses at the expense of local communities.
“The South East deserves better,” Chief Diwe said. “We will not accept any policy that seeks to take away our land for private interests. The government must stop pushing policies that divide us and focus on building a fair and prosperous Nigeria.”
The union also called on other ethnic groups and stakeholders across Nigeria to join in opposing the cattle ranching plan, as it believes that the issues at stake are not just local to the South East but are of national importance.
The controversy over the proposed cattle ranching initiative is part of a broader national conversation about land use, ethnic relations, and the role of the government in regulating private business interests. Nigeria, like many other countries, has struggled with balancing the needs of various ethnic groups while promoting economic development. The South East, in particular, has long felt marginalized in terms of political representation and economic opportunities.
At the same time, the cattle industry has been a contentious issue in Nigeria for many years, with tensions often running high between herders and farmers. Herdsmen, who are primarily from the Fulani ethnic group, have often clashed with local communities over grazing land and water resources, leading to violent conflicts in some parts of the country.
