Violators of Open Grazing Law Risk Three-Year Jail Term – Ogun Govt

 The Ogun State Government on July 29, 2025, reiterated that violators of its Anti-Open Grazing Law face a minimum three-year jail term, as stated by Commissioner for Agriculture Bolu Owotomo during a stakeholders’ meeting. 

Enacted in 2021 and amended in 2024, the law prohibits unregulated cattle grazing to curb farmer-herder clashes, which have displaced 50,000 residents since 2019, per state records. Offenders, including herders and ranch owners failing to register, face fines up to ₦1 million or imprisonment, with enforcement bolstered by 200 newly trained rangers.

The policy aligns with similar laws in Benue and Ekiti, aiming to promote ranching, but implementation has been uneven, with 15 arrests reported since June 2025 yet only three convictions. Herders’ associations argue the law marginalizes their livelihoods, citing a 30% income drop, while farmers praise reduced crop losses. 

The narrative of legal enforcement is firm, but its effectiveness is debated, with critics highlighting inadequate ranching infrastructure and potential escalation of tensions, requiring balanced mediation for sustainable peace.