Fulani Herdsmen Crisis in Nigeria: Urgent Appeal for Christian Investors and Donors

INTRODUCTION

The Fulani tribe has been a part of Nigerian society for centuries, yet many people know little about them. The Fulani people can be broadly categorized into two groups: the nomadic Fulani and the settled Fulani. The primary concern arises from the nomadic group, whose main occupation is livestock herding.

In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in violent conflicts, killings, and destruction of property attributed to Fulani herders across various geopolitical regions. This crisis has escalated to the point where it poses a significant threat to national security and the unity of Nigeria. The situation has led to widespread calls for urgent solutions, with suggestions ranging from establishing cattle colonies and ranching systems to military intervention.

However, we believe that the unrest among the Fulani herdsmen is a form of protest rooted in deeper, underlying issues. Addressing these underlying factors is essential to resolving the crisis and restoring peace.

FULANI NATURE

UNDERLYING FACTORS

The Fulani people are introspective by nature. They are not assertive, rarely express their grievances openly, and tend to endure hardships in silence for extended periods. This characteristic often leads to their immediate communities being unaware of the challenges they face until these frustrations erupt into violent conflicts.

GRIEVANCES OF FULANI HERDSMEN

1. Lack of Native Land
   The Fulani culture lacks a designated native land. Unlike other tribes in Nigeria, which have established cities, local governments, and traditional structures, the Fulani have no exclusive territory to call their own. Historically, they have practiced nomadic migration, moving their livestock across regions in search of favorable conditions. However, as land ownership has become formalized, the Fulani find themselves marginalized and viewed as outsiders in every region they traverse.

2. Understanding Gap
   The Fulani are known for their loyalty and trustworthiness, which is why many elites entrust their livestock to them. However, this occupation keeps the Fulani and their children isolated in remote areas, depriving them of formal education, modern conveniences, and exposure to contemporary societal norms. This lack of exposure creates a significant gap in understanding and perception between the Fulani and the more urbanized populations.

3. Inconsiderateness of Farmers
   While the Fulani herdsmen do not seek permanent land ownership, they expect farmers to consider the needs of their livestock. After harvest, the Fulani hope that farmers will leave the leftover weeds for their animals to graze on. However, when farmers burn these remnants to prepare for the next planting season, the herdsmen perceive it as an inconsiderate act, leading to retaliatory actions, such as grazing their livestock on crops that are ready for harvest.

4. Lack of Mutual Respect
   As strangers in the lands they migrate through, the Fulani are often treated as inferior by the host communities. The Fulani see themselves as some of the earliest settlers in these regions, having lived there when the lands were untitled and uninhabited. The actions of the current landowners are viewed as unjust by the Fulani, who feel embittered and hardened by the perceived disrespect.

GRIEVANCES OF LOCAL FARMERS

1. Betrayal of Trust
   Local farming communities have coexisted peacefully with the Fulani for generations, with some even intermarrying. The recent violent attacks by Fulani herdsmen are seen as a betrayal of this long-standing trust.

2. Annihilation and Genocide Agenda
   Farmers perceive the Fulani aggression as part of a calculated plan to displace them from their ancestral lands and take over their fertile territories.

3. Religious Triumphalism
   The killings are viewed by some as part of a broader agenda to enforce Islam on predominantly Christian local communities. These perceptions have led to a heightened sense of self-defense among farmers, especially given the government’s and military’s apparent inability to stop the violence.

These perspectives have fostered a deep-seated resentment and fear among the local farmers and other communities, contributing to a cycle of hatred and mistrust toward the Fulani tribe. However, this defensive and hostile mindset will only exacerbate the crisis, not bring about lasting peace.

OUR APPROACH

At Royal Mission, we believe that healing and reconciliation are possible through advocacy, orientation, and demonstration. By addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering mutual understanding and respect, we aim to soften the hardened hearts of both the farmers and the herdsmen.

1. Advocacy: Royal Mission is committed to intensive advocacy efforts, engaging all stakeholders until there is a widespread understanding of the pain and fears of the Fulani people. We seek to highlight their inherent virtues, such as honesty, fearlessness, endurance, and deep commitment to faith. This will be achieved through interactions between Christian ministers, community members, and the Fulani people at our resource center.

2. Orientation: Royal Mission is dedicated to bridging the gap in understanding by offering intensive “train-the-trainer” programs. Our goal is to update traditional Fulani husbandry practices with modern technology and methods, encouraging them to appreciate the benefits of settlement over a nomadic lifestyle.

3. Demonstration: Royal Mission will implement pilot programs, such as establishing Fulani Cooperative Markets in select cities across the Sahel region and Nigeria. We will promote cross-breed animal farming to help locals appreciate modern animal farming techniques, which can enhance milk and meat production. This initiative aims to improve the quality of life for the Fulani by enabling them to settle in cities where they can access essential services like education, healthcare, and spiritual guidance.

CONCLUSION

The Fulani herdsmen’s nomadic lifestyle is increasingly threatened by desertification, which is pushing them further south in search of viable grazing land. This migration has become a source of conflict. We urge compassionate nations and individuals to address the challenges facing the Fulani and other desert inhabitants, making their homelands more habitable and reducing the need for migration. This would also help prevent third-party actors, such as opportunistic politicians and religious extremists, from exploiting the crisis for their own gain.

CALLING CHRISTIAN INVESTORS/DONORS

We urge Christian investors and donors to rise to the occasion and support our Pastoral Resource Center Project. The Initiatives will address the root causes of this conflict. By doing so, you will help bring peace to the Sahel region and also demonstrate the love of Christ in a tangible and transformative way.

For further inquiries, please get to us at:
contact@royalmission.org
Visit our website today:
https://royalmission.org/wp_962

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