Niger State to Establish Digital Database of Pastoralists
By Hassan Danladi Idris
The Niger State Government has engaged stakeholders to create a database of pastoralists within the state.
The stakeholder engagement meeting, organized by the Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs in Niger State, aimed to discuss the methods for collecting data on pastoralists residing in the state to ensure inclusivity.
The Commissioner of the Ministry, Alhaji Umar Sanda Rabe, noted that pastoralist communities in Nigeria are among the most neglected groups in the country, facing high levels of food insecurity, poverty, and a lack of basic social amenities. He emphasized that the absence of accurate data makes it challenging to develop policies that can improve their well-being.
He stated that the Niger State government, under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, recognizes the need to implement a baseline data collection initiative for pastoralists across all 25 Local Government Areas to effectively plan and project services for them.
“Fulani settlers and herders often struggle to access basic social amenities such as clean water, healthcare, electricity, and education, highlighting the urgency of this engagement,” the commissioner explained.
“We seek comprehensive data on all pastoralists in the state—who they are, where they are settled, and how many there are—so that essential services can reach them more efficiently,” he added.
Alhaji Rabe called for support and cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure that the digital data collection process is ongoing, allowing everyone to actively participate in government initiatives.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various ministries, including Planning, Agriculture, Education, Local Government, and Statistics, as well as Information and Communication Technology, Local Government Councils, traditional rulers, community leaders, and security agencies.
