EU Funds €10.5m Initiative To Combat Farmer-Herder Conflict In Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – The European Union (EU) has announced a €10.5 million grant to support the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in tackling the ongoing farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria’s Adamawa and Taraba states.

The funding, provided through the EU’s foreign policy instrument, will be used to implement the “Contributing to the Mitigation of Conflict Over Natural Resources Between Farmers and Herders Communities in Taraba and Adamawa States, Nigeria” (COMITAS) project.

The project, a collaboration between the IOM, Mercy Corps, and Search for Common Ground, has been running since 2021.

It focuses on building peace, mitigating conflict, and improving livelihoods in the affected communities.

IOM Chief of Mission Paola Pace highlighted the project’s success in facilitating policy dialogues on Nigeria’s National Climate Change Policy, ensuring local voices are heard in climate adaptation planning.

“This is critical to ensuring the progress we have made under COMITAS remains sustainable and forward-looking,” she stated.

The EU’s commitment to peace and security in the region was emphasized by EU Political Officer, Agnieszka Torres Del Oliveira.

Both Adamawa and Taraba state governments have praised the project’s positive impact on their respective states.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Edgar Amos, commended COMITAS for fostering harmonious coexistence between farmers and herders, leading to increased agricultural productivity.

He also highlighted the project’s contribution to social cohesion and access to essential services, including solar-powered boreholes.

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Jeji Williams, acknowledged the project’s effectiveness in reducing conflict in the state and expressed optimism for its future success in achieving peace in other affected communities.

The €10.5 million grant from the EU represents a significant investment in tackling the complex and persistent farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria.

It reflects a collaborative approach involving international organizations, local communities, and government agencies, with the goal of achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the region.