Challenging the single narrative in Nigeria's beef industry

Three gory video clips that are currently making the rounds clearly show that the seemingly unending conflict between young adults in the southeast and northern Nigeria can be easily resolved if the leaders of these regions mean business about security in the land.

In two of the clips, Fulani herdsmen are seen nonchalantly uprooting huge tubers of cassava planted, in one of the clips, by indigenes of Nkanu East in their farms and feeding their cattle with them. The recorder of the second video is also heard appealing to Enugu state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to rush to the rescue of Nkanu people. He warns that the Fulani herdsmen should not be allowed to do what they were doing to their fellow Nigerian citizens' farms. They were overstepping their boundaries. The man threatened that if nothing was done urgently by government, the people of Nkanu would be forced to confront the Fulani herdsmen head-on.

In a subsequent video clip that appeared to have justified the man's threat, armed young-adults from the southeast are seen pursuing, shooting and killing some cows belonging to Fulani herdsmen, in apparent retaliation. "We don't want Fulani cattle in our land", they kept shouting in the video.

One fact emerges from these incidents and it is that action and reaction are equal and opposite. These armed Fulani herdsmen are used to wandering into farmlands in the southeast in the name of cattle grazing. They enter into peoples' farms, uproot their ready-to-harvest crops and feed them their cattle. They rape mothers and their daughters they find in their farms and are ready to stab or shoot anyone who challenges them. This should not happen, but it is actually happening, and it makes the south easterners sad, even mad. One important fact to note is that the north has too much land for agriculture and cattle rearing. So, why are they not exploring their lands instead of leaving them for terrorists and kidnappers to use?

In terms of land ownership, Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital territory are ranked as follows: Niger State 76,363 km²; Borno State 70,898 km²; Taraba State 54,473 km²; Kaduna State 46,053 km²; Bauchi State 45,837 km²; Yobe State 45,502 km²; Zamfara State 39,762 km²; Adamawa State 36,917 km²; Kwara State 36,825 km²; Kebbi State 36,800 km²; Benue State 34,059 km²; Plateau State 30,913 km²; Kogi State 29,833 km²; Oyo State 28,454 km²; Nasarawa State 27,117 km²; Sokoto State 25,973 km²; Katsina State 24,192 km²; Jigawa State 23,154 km²; Cross River State 20,156 km². Kano State 20,131 km²; Gombe State 18,768 km²; Edo State 17,802 km²; Delta State 17,698 km²; Ogun State 16,762 km²; Ondo State 15,500 km²; Rivers State 11,077 km²; Bayelsa State 10,773 km²; Osun State 9,251 km²; Federal Capital Territory 7,315 km²; Enugu State 7,161 km²; Akwa Ibom State 7,081 km²; Ekiti State 6,353 km²; Abia State 6,320 km²; Ebonyi State 5,670 km²; Imo State 5,530 km²; Anambra State 4,844 km² and Lagos State 3,345 km².

From the above data, it is easy to observe that in terms of landmass, in the entire states of the east, Anambra plus Enugu plus Abia plus Imo plus Ebonyi equals 29,525 km² while Kogi alone has 29,833 km². Likewise, in the southwest, Ogun plus Oyo plus Osun plus Ondo plus Ekiti equals 76,320 km². Niger state alone is equal to 76,363 km². This means that Niger State has more land than the entire Southwest States minus Lagos while in the east, the entire southeast is less than Kogi State which is 13th on the list.

So, the North has more than enough land for whatever they want to do with their cattle. The South has very little land in comparison, and yet Fulani herdsmen find pleasure in forcing their way into the farmlands in the southeast destroying farmers’ crops, raping the women and their daughters they find in the farms and killing any farmer who challenges them. This fact alone has made the south easterners come to believe that the north has a secret agenda. And the question is: must we continue like this? These are some of the reasons the agitation of the Igbo for secession from Nigeria has continued to echo and reverberate so many decades after the Nigerian civil war.

Although I make no case for dismembering Nigeria, it must be noted that the quest for self determination is the inalienable right of human beings. Unfortunately, the political and military leaders of Nigeria erroneously made up their minds that “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” Some insist that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable. That must be because those in public offices were benefitting from that sort of hypocritical ‘unity’ at the expense of their suffering countrymen and women. In a true democracy, if one member of the union is no longer comfortable with the situation it finds itself in the union, it has the right to opt out and no one has the right to force it into a union it feels it has nothing to gain from.

Northern Nigeria has more than enough land to do cattle rearing and has no business terrorising farming communities in the middle belt and southern regions in the name of cattle rearing. Northern leaders need to intervene in this mindless destruction of farmlands in the southeast by Fulani herdsmen, if peace must reign in the country. The north has more than enough lands to graze their cattle. Let them use their lands.

Another option would be for the Igbo to challenge this sense of "entitlement" that the Fulani seem to be developing which will ultimately lead to impunity. The Igbo have their brand of cows called Efi Igbo. The Igbo have wealthy people who can float their brand of cows and clip the arrogance eating up Fulani herders who have come to believe that they are now very important in the society because many Nigerians rely on their beef. The Igbo can definitely develop better, more internationally accepted standard markets for Efi Igbo. So, let them now begin to think and decide on competition between Efi Hausa and Efi Igbo.

For decades, the beef supply chain in Nigeria has been dominated almost exclusively by Fulani herdsmen. From the vast savannahs of Northern Nigeria to the bustling markets in the South, Fulani cattle have shaped the meat industry and become a key part of Nigerian cuisine. However, this dominance has fostered a dangerous sense of entitlement and impunity among Fulani herdsmen, which has, in turn, led to serious socio-political and economic implications. It is time for Igbo people, known for their resilience and entrepreneurial prowess, to challenge this single narrative of beef supply by developing and branding their own indigenous breed of cows — Efi Igbo — and establishing a competitive market that can rival the dominance of Efi Hausa (Fulani cattle).

The Fulani herdsmen have controlled Nigeria’s beef supply for as long as anyone can remember. Their traditional pastoral lifestyle involves moving cattle across the country’s grazing routes in search of pasture and water. While this nomadic practice has served the Fulani economically and socially, it has also created several problems.

One major issue is the frequent conflict between herdsmen and farmers, especially in the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria. As the Fulani herdsmen drive their cattle into southeast farmlands in search of grazing space, they often destroy crops, leading to violent clashes with local farmers. Thousands of lives have been lost, and entire communities have been displaced due to these conflicts. Despite this, successive Nigerian governments have failed to address the issue decisively, partly because of the strategic political influence wielded by the Fulani elite. Furthermore, the Fulani herdsmen have grown increasingly arrogant and feel entitled.

Their dominance in the beef industry has made them believe they are indispensable to Nigeria's food security and economy. This perception has created a dangerous sense of impunity, with herdsmen often accused of acts of violence, banditry, and kidnapping, yet facing minimal repercussions. The result is a fragile and volatile situation where the supply of such a crucial commodity as beef is at the mercy of a single ethnic group.

The Igbo people have long been known for their business acumen and adaptability. From trade and commerce to manufacturing and the service industry, the Igbo have a track record of building successful enterprises from scratch. It is therefore surprising that the Igbo have not yet established a foothold in the beef industry, despite having the potential to do so.

Efi Igbo
Officially introducing Efi Igbo — the locally bred Igbo cow — into the Nigerian system would be a strategic move not only to break the Fulani monopoly but also to enhance the Nigerian beef market's competitiveness and quality. The Igbo can leverage their entrepreneurial skills to create structured ranching systems, improve cattle breeding techniques, and market their products to both domestic and international consumers.

Naturally, developing Efi Igbo would address several challenges in the Nigerian beef industry. Fulani cattle are usually raised in open pastures, where they are exposed to diseases and parasites. Ranching Efi Igbo in controlled environments would allow for better health management, leading to higher-quality meat that meets international food safety standards. This would make Igbo beef more attractive to both Nigerian and international markets. Besides, developing a structured beef industry in Igbo land would create jobs for veterinarians, cattle rearers, butchers, and food processors. It would also encourage the establishment of beef processing plants, cold storage facilities, and distribution networks, boosting local economies and reducing dependency on imported meat.

Since Efi Igbo would be bred in ranches rather than through open grazing, the pressure on farmland would reduce significantly. This would help ease tensions between farmers and herders, contributing to greater social stability. By establishing large-scale cattle farms and improving meat production techniques, the Igbo could produce beef at competitive prices. Increased competition would naturally lead to better pricing, benefiting Nigerian consumers and reducing the potential for monopolistic price manipulation by Fulani herdsmen.

Developing Efi Igbo would require a well-thought-out strategy involving multiple stakeholders. The Igbo have the capital and the business networks necessary to drive this initiative forward. However, they must approach it with precision and commitment. The first step would be to acquire large tracts of land to establish cattle ranches. These ranches should be equipped with modern facilities for feeding, watering, disease control, and veterinary services. Selective breeding should be employed to enhance the resilience, meat quality, and reproduction rate of Efi Igbo. The Igbo should train local cattle rearers and farmers on modern cattle farming techniques. Veterinary schools and agricultural institutes in Igbo land should be engaged to provide expertise on cattle health, feeding, and breeding.

Just like the Igbo have succeeded in establishing globally recognized brands in trade and commerce, Efi Igbo should be branded strategically. Packaging, quality assurance, and customer satisfaction should be emphasized. Nigerian restaurants, supermarkets, and international food markets should be targeted to create a demand for Igbo beef. Igbo political leaders should push for policies that support ranching and structured meat production. Tax incentives, access to loans, and import-export policies that favour local beef production should be pursued to create a conducive business environment.

The competition between Efi Hausa and Efi Igbo would ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers. Increased competition would lead to improved meat quality, better pricing, and enhanced food security. Unlike the Fulani cattle that are often lean and tough due to long-distance trekking, ranch-bred Efi Igbo would be more tender, flavourful, and better suited for both local and international markets. Furthermore, establishing a structured beef industry in Igbo land would eliminate the dangers associated with open grazing. The Fulani herdsmen’s reliance on open grazing has contributed to environmental degradation, including deforestation and soil erosion. A transition to ranching would not only benefit the environment but also modernize the Nigerian agricultural sector.

Beyond the immediate economic benefits, developing Efi Igbo would have significant socio-political implications. It would demonstrate that Nigeria’s food security and economic prosperity are not tied to the dominance of a single ethnic group. The rise of Igbo beef would send a powerful message that Nigeria is a nation of equals, where no group has a monopoly on any industry. Moreover, challenging the single narrative in beef supply would empower other Nigerian ethnic groups to explore opportunities in agriculture and food production. The Yoruba, Tiv, and Ijaw, for example, would be encouraged to develop their own breeds of cattle or focus on other areas of agricultural production like fish production, snail farming, piggery, goat and sheep farming and poultry.

The time has come for the Igbo to challenge the single narrative of the beef industry in Nigeria. By developing Efi Igbo and competing directly with Efi Hausa, the Igbo can disrupt the monopoly of the Fulani herdsmen and create a more competitive and balanced beef industry. This would not only improve the quality and availability of beef in Nigeria but also reduce ethnic tensions, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s food security. The Igbo have the resources, the expertise, and the resilience to make this happen. Now is the time to act without resorting to arms in order to save Igbo farmers from the humiliation Fulani herdsmen consistently subject them. This is the time.