Niger State should be the epicentre of this move towards developing ranching in Nigeria but alas it appears their governor is fast asleep

Ayo Akinfe

(1) For starters Niger State has the largest landmass in Nigeria with 76,363 km2. This is more than double the whole of the southeast geo-political zone with its 29,525 square kilometres and almost as much as the entire 79,665 square kilometres that makes up the southwest

(2) Are you all aware that Nigeria’s first ever mega cattle ranch was established at Mokwa in modern day Niger State in 1964? Founded by the Germans with a total capacity of 10,000 hectares by 1973, the Mokwa Cattle Ranch had a herd of 3,000 cattle. Its Green Panic Grass which covered 200 hectares could be harvested six times a year in the rainy season. I am challenging Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State to come and explain to 200m Nigerians why he has not revived this project

(3) Niger State has an abundance of water because it straddles the River Niger. It is home to the Gurara Waterfalls, Lake Kainji, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Zugurma Game Reserve. This means there will be ample water for these cattle to drink

(4) More importantly, Niger State is within close proximity of Abuja and Mokwa is on the road and railway route to Lagos. This provides easy access to key markets for beef, dairy products, leather, animal feed, etc

(5) I wonder why we have not heard one word from Governor Abubakar Bello. He should be regarded as Nigeria’s Cattle Ranch Governor in the midst of the current debate. Niger State should be known as the home of livestock

(6) Mokwa Local Government Area alone has 4,338 km2. Yet it only has a population of 244,937. With such a low population density, it is perfectly suited for a mega cattle ranch

(7) Nothing stops Governor Bello from founding a 5,000 sq km cattle ranch across Mokwa, Lagun and Mashegun local government areas tomorrow. Between them, they have 16,355 square kilometres of land

(8) Niger State is also one of Nigeria’s main bread baskets as the land their is wonderfully suited to agriculture. You could easily grow enough yam, cassava, maize, groundnuts, Shea nuts, etc locally to provide the required animal feed for such a mega ranch

(9) Given that Niger State is also well connected by rail, you could easily move cattle from there across the country in rail wagons. Mokwa, Kutuwengi, Zungeru and Minna are all stations along the Lagos to Kano rail route that could serve as cattle loading points

(10) Given Mokwa’s proximity to Abuja, you could easily get your cattle ranch in Mokwa to supply a milk processing plant in the Federal Capital Territory. Same goes for a leather tanning factory, an animal feed compounder or a meat processing plant