# Nigeria National Ranching Policy opposition > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-national-ranching-policy-opposition > Updated: 2026-08-26T14:54:51.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. The Nigerian Federal Government’s pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy has faced significant opposition from regional groups. Initially, indigenous groups in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rejected the inclusion of the territory in the pilot, arguing that ranching is inconsistent with the Abuja Master Plan and threatens ancestral lands and livelihoods. Opposition expanded as the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) rejected the scheme across the Middle Belt region. The forum, representing various ethnic and regional interests, described the initiative as an “audacious attempt” to seize ethnic community lands. While the forum stated it does not oppose modern livestock production, it criticized the “opaque, coercive and discriminatory manner” of the policy, alleging it favors nomadic Fulani herdsmen. Leaders have demanded transparency regarding land acquisition, funding, and ownership structures. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Middle Belt leaders reject Nigeria's national ranching pilot scheme The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has rejected Nigeria's National Livestock Policy pilot scheme, alleging it is a discriminatory attempt to seize ethnic community lands in the Middle Belt. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/middle-belt-leaders-reject-nigerias-national-ranching-pilot-scheme ### 2026-08-13: FCT indigenous groups reject National Ranching Policy pilot Indigenous groups in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory have rejected the government's plan to include the region in a pilot National Ranching Policy, citing conflicts with the Abuja Master Plan. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fct-indigenous-groups-reject-national-ranching-policy-pilot --- Cite as: Nigeria National Ranching Policy opposition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-national-ranching-policy-opposition