By Vivian Emoni
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has called for a structured grazing reserves to curb farmer-herder conflicts across the country.
Obegolu, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, saying that ranching reforms would enhance security and rural development.
He identified open grazing as a major driver of rural insecurity, adding that the practice had triggered communal clashes and farmland destruction as well as displaced rural populations and farmers.
According to him, when ranches a properly managed, it will boost meat and dairy productivity; it will also create thousands of jobs across the livestock value chain, reduce pressure on farmland and eliminate a major source of rural conflict.
He called on private sector and other relevant stakeholders to participate in supporting livestock development, adding that the participation would transform livestock sector, making it more efficient, productive, and sustainable.
He added that the private investment would enhance financing, innovation and efficiency as such efforts were critical to modernising livestock production.
“Stakeholders engagement is vital for successful implementation, I am urging for a strong political will to end open grazing,” he said.
The president said the chamber remained the authoritative voice of the business community in the FCT, adding that one of the chamber’s target in 2026 was to ensure that small business, especially those in vulnerable sectors, were protected.
“Our mandate is to promote growth, safeguard enterprise interests, and ensure that government policies translate into meaningful and measurable economic progress.
“Throughout 2025, ACCI has sustained strong engagement with public and private sector stakeholders through advocacy interventions, and structured dialogues.
Obegolu said that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) remained the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
He said that the chamber intensified interventions to address issues through
capacity-building programmes for entrepreneurs and reactivation of the ACCI MSME Desk and business clinics.
He called on government to adopt pro-growth policies that support enterprise, encourage investment, and stimulate productivity.
“As we enter 2026, we call on government to intensify efforts toward establishing and expanding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicle conversion centres.
“Introducing targeted subsidies to make conversion more affordable will enable widespread adoption, especially among public transport operators, taxis, buses, and ride-hailing fleets.
“This will ensure that the benefits of cleaner and cheaper energy alternatives reach the commuting public,” he said.
The ACCI boss said that strategic partnerships between the government and private sector, could reduce operational costs, build technical capacity, and accelerate nationwide adoption of the CNG and electric mobility.
He added that the transition would not only reduce transportation and production costs but also help stabilise the macroeconomic environment.
He reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to championing the interests of businesses and fostering an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive.
“Together, we can build an FCT economy that is competitive, inclusive, and sustainable”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
