Nigeria Loses $13bn Annually To Farmer-Herder Clashes, Report Warns
Farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria have cost the country over $13 billion annually and claimed more than 4,000 lives, according to a new report by Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest peacebuilding organisation.
The research, conducted in Adamawa and Taraba States, links the escalating conflict to climate change, with erratic rainfall and shrinking resources fuelling disputes over land, water, and grazing routes.
Francis Sala-Diakanda, the organisation’s West Africa Regional Director, stressed:
> “Climate change is not just disrupting seasons, it’s destabilising communities… Peace is not a passive hope but a shared responsibility.”
The report highlights innovative solutions, including storytelling, football matches, music, and community dances that foster understanding between farmers and herders.
These cultural exchanges have improved relations, with 96% of locals reporting progress in the past year.
Community leaders from elders to Imams and Pastors – have also played a key role in mediating disputes and identifying early warning signs.
One farmer, Boniface Nakulmide, admitted he once saw herders as “enemies” but now recognises them as “partners”.
The report recommends scaling up cultural exchanges, establishing regular dialogue forums, and strengthening local peace structures to sustain progress
