By Abubakar Yunusa
The Yusufu Bala Usman Institute has unveiled findings linking poor land governance, ecological degradation and rising insecurity across Northern Nigeria.
The report was presented at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Participants at the forum were drawn from Bauchi, one of four states covered in the study, alongside Jigawa, Kaduna and Katsina.
The project is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme.
Traditional rulers, Fulani leaders, Hausa farmers and religious figures attended the meeting, where they examined the findings and proffered solutions to the challenges.
Presenting the research, Dr Adam Higazi identified land expropriation by politicians and agribusiness firms as a major driver of dispossession among rural farmers and herders.
He noted that such acquisitions have triggered indiscriminate deforestation, encroachment on grazing and forest reserves, and obstruction of livestock routes.
According to him, the development has worsened conflict and instability in the region.
Higazi further disclosed that pastoralist communities, particularly Fulani herders, are increasingly losing access to grazing lands in Bauchi State.
He said the trend, compounded by ecological degradation and expanding human activities, has forced many herders to migrate to other parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The researcher recommended a ban on illegal tree felling and the restoration of forest and grazing reserves, including Rigar Itas and Udubo.
He also called for the reopening of livestock water routes and stronger protection of land rights for farmers and pastoralists.
Higazi urged reforms to the Land Use Act and proposed the establishment of a commission to address pastoral, farming and environmental concerns.
In his remarks, Abdullahi Umar Eggi said the meeting was convened to interrogate land governance issues and draw from stakeholders’ experiences in shaping policy responses.
Speaking on behalf of Fulani communities, the Sarkin Fulanin Katagum, Alhaji Muhammad Jauro Gari, called on authorities to urgently address the loss of grazing lands and the hardship faced by herders.
Participants at the meeting also demanded coordinated government action to curb deforestation, restore livelihoods and strengthen peace and security across the region.
The forum ended with a call for sustained engagement and decisive policy measures to tackle the root causes of land-related conflicts in Northern Nigeria.