Fulani leaders, representing the Confederation of Pastoralists, have made a strong appeal to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for a substantial allocation of 30 percent of the agricultural budget to the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development. This request was made during an international press conference held in Abuja, where they also called for the establishment of pilot ranches across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and the protection of 417 grazing reserves nationwide.

The General Secretary of the Kautal Pulaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria, Abdullahi Ardo, articulated the coalition's concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for government action to safeguard pastoralists who have faced increasing violence. He highlighted the alarming trend of killings in states such as Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, urging the Federal Government to conduct thorough investigations into these incidents and provide relief materials to the affected victims.

Ardo expressed appreciation for President Tinubu's decision to create the Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024, viewing it as a historic step towards addressing the long-standing issues between farmers and herders. However, he lamented that the ministry has remained underfunded and lacks a clear operational framework to fulfill its objectives. He called for the ministry to engage actively at the community level to achieve its goals.

In his remarks, Ardo stated, "We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development – a historic decision that gave us hope after 60 years of agitation. However, years later, the ministry remains largely unfunded and without a clear operational framework."

The leaders underscored the economic significance of the livestock sector, describing it as a ₦30 trillion industry that requires serious attention. They urged the government to initiate a national dialogue aimed at resolving the ongoing farmer-herder conflicts, which have reportedly resulted in over 20,000 deaths over the past decade. This dialogue should include various stakeholders, such as Miyetti Allah groups, religious leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, and state governments, with a focus on justice, compensation, and fostering peaceful coexistence.

Ardo further lamented the recent spate of violence, stating, "With deep pain, we report that in the last few months, hundreds of innocent pastoralists have been killed in coordinated attacks. In many of these attacks, women, children, and the elderly were killed, thousands of cattle were rustled or killed, and entire Rugas were burnt down."

The Fulani leaders have called for a collaborative approach involving federal and state governments, traditional rulers, farmers' groups, security agencies, and development partners to find lasting solutions to the farmer-herder conflicts. They emphasized the need for equal access to justice, inclusive security, and development, urging all Nigerians to engage in dialogue and cooperation to enhance national development.