The Ekiti State Government has launched a three-day conference aimed at addressing the ongoing farmers-herders conflict in the state, attributing the lack of progress partly to non-cooperative actions from neighbouring states.
The event, titled Training on Prevention and Resolution of the Incidence of Farmers-Herders Conflict, was held in Ado-Ekiti in partnership with the World Bank, Global Peace Development, and the L-Press.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana (Rtd), stated that enforcement of the state’s anti-grazing legislation had been undermined by external challenges arising from adjoining states.
He called for sustained dialogue among farmers, herders, and host communities to forge enduring solutions and reinforce adherence to the rule of law.
The Executive Director of Global Peace Development, Ebruke Onajite Esike, said the purpose of the training was to de-escalate tensions, foster mutual understanding, and prevent a resurgence of violence.
He noted that Ekiti is the second state to benefit from the intervention after Edo, stressing that peaceful coexistence is vital to ensuring food security and economic resilience.
President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ekiti State chapter, Mr Alagbada Ademoia, cautioned that the conflict had severely impacted agricultural productivity.
He explained that many farmers were abandoning their land out of fear, leading to reduced yields and rising hunger levels. He described the situation as a national emergency requiring sincere and inclusive engagement.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, described the crisis as complex and multi-layered.
He said the conflict went beyond direct clashes, pointing to root causes such as climate-induced migration, competition over dwindling resources, cultural divides, and environmental degradation.
Boluwade stressed that these deeper issues had contributed to widespread displacement, economic instability, and loss of life across the country, adding that a prompt, coordinated response from both state and federal authorities was crucial.