Farmer-Herder Crisis Caused By Poorly Implemented Planning Systems — FG

The federal government has attributed the persistent farmer-herder conflicts devastating communities across Nigeria to poorly designed and inadequately implemented physical planning systems, warning that bad spatial governance breeds tension while sound planning delivers peace and prosperity.

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Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, made the assertion on Tuesday in Abuja at the inaugural Annual Advocacy Lecture of the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy, framing the land-use crisis as a governance failure that effective planning can reverse.

“Many of the conflicts we face today stem from how we use land and space. Poor planning breeds tension, while good planning fosters peace and prosperity,” the Minister said, according to a statement from his spokesman, Bolaji Adeniyi.

Bagudu said the federal government views physical planning not merely as a technical exercise but as a critical driver of economic progress and national stability.

Drawing on examples of poorly managed urban and rural spaces that have become flashpoints for conflict, he called for proactive, structured, and inclusive planning approaches that place people, not just land or infrastructure, at the centre of policy.
“Planning is not just about land or infrastructure; it is about people and how they live together.”

He stressed that national development must cut across coordinated planning in physical, environmental, social, and financial domains simultaneously, rather than treating each in isolation.

$1trn Economy Anchored on Three Pillars
The minister used the occasion to reaffirm President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven national development, describing those three pillars as indispensable to delivering the administration’s target of transforming Nigeria into a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030.

He said Nigeria is in the final stages of completing its 2026 National Development Plan, a cornerstone document for the reform agenda, and acknowledged that realising the ambitious growth target would require deliberate planning and strategic collaboration across all sectors.

“Nigeria is not where we want to be, but we are determined to move forward with clear choices and a shared vision to unite all Nigerians towards achieving a $1 trillion economy.”

Bagudu said the goal cannot be achieved through isolated efforts, emphasising that deep intellectual engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and contributions from professionals and stakeholders were all essential.

The minister cautioned against over-reliance on legacy approaches, noting that solutions which worked in the past may be inadequate in the face of rapid population growth and technological change.
“As our population grows and technology reshapes our world, we must plan more intelligently and proactively to meet emerging demands.”

He called for tighter intergovernmental coordination, arguing that effective planning requires seamless collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, as development is a shared responsibility that no tier can discharge alone.

Linking his remarks to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he urged stakeholders to shift focus away from re-litigating past failures and direct energy toward what can unite Nigerians in pursuit of collective progress. “Rather than spend all our energy debating the past, we must focus on what unites us and drives collective action for the future.”

Bagudu concluded that Nigeria’s ability to achieve sustainable economic growth, reduce conflicts, and build a stable society will ultimately depend on how effectively the country manages its physical and economic spaces.

If planning is executed with inclusiveness, sustainability, and innovation as guiding principles, he said, opportunities will be created for all Nigerians and the country will be set on course toward a more prosperous and united future.