Northern governors forum dump Ruga

Plateau state governor, Samuel Lalong 

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), has dumped RUGA initiative and adopted the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

The forum made the decision yesterday in a meeting in Kaduna.

The forum hopes that the plan will assist in tackling the farmers/herders crisis in the region and across the country.



The meeting was convened to find a lasting solution to the series of problems bedeviling the Northern region.

This is as the Benue State government gave conditions for the implementation or otherwise of the agreed Livestock Transformation Plan.




In a communique issued at the end of the emergency meeting of the Forum. The communiqué was signed by the chairman of the Forum and governor Plateau State, Simon Lalong.

The communiqué read in part: “The current challenges of insecurity, which seems to be persisting despite concerted efforts by all ties of government was also deliberated based on insightful analyses and the best possible ways to address the menace, which is currently bedeviling the region.

“Consequently the Forum resolved to continue to adopt a sustainable and holistic approach towards tackling this challenge in the region, it is the Forum’s unwavering determination to rescue the region and reposition it to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people, especially in the areas of security economic and social development.”


“On agriculture, the Forum was well informed about the National Livestock Transformation Plan and its disparities with the RUGA plan.

“It is expected that the plan will ensure resettling and addressing the dislocated populations in the key conflict zones to enable them become part of the agricultural modernization process.



In the same vein, it would provide a mechanism for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in the affected communities towards a harmonious mutually beneficial future. The Forum therefore adopted the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which lays out clear path for modernizing pastoral activities.

“It further encouraged other states not included as pilot states to endevour to join the plan/programme.”