ENUGU – The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has firmly rejected the Federal Government’s plan to establish cattle ranches in the South East under the 2025 national budget, calling it unfair, provocative, and a misuse of public resources for private business.
In a statement signed by its National President, Chief Emeka Diwe, ASITU criticized the proposal to allocate land in Imo State and other parts of the region for ranching, insisting that cattle rearing is a private business that should not be funded by the government.
“Why Prioritize Ranching Over Igbo Businesses?”
The union questioned why the federal government is prioritizing ranching—a business primarily dominated by a particular ethnic group—while Igbo entrepreneurs struggle to acquire land for their businesses without similar government support.
“Cattle rearing is a private venture, and the government has no business funding or managing it. Igbo traders across Nigeria buy land for their businesses without federal intervention—why should cattle herders be treated differently?” ASITU asked.
“South East Has No Land to Spare”
ASITU also pointed out that the South East faces severe land scarcity, with high demand for agriculture, housing, and development projects. Handing out land for cattle ranching, they argued, is an injustice to the region.
“Our communities need land for farming, housing, and infrastructure. Giving away our already limited land for private ranching is not just unfair—it is unacceptable,” the statement read.
Calls for Immediate Reversal
The group warned that proceeding with the ranching plan could escalate ethnic tensions and deepen the marginalization of the Igbo people.
“We demand an immediate halt to this ranching initiative in the South East. The government should focus on policies that promote fairness, economic growth, and national unity—not ones that alienate and oppress indigenous communities.”
ASITU made it clear that the people of the South East will resist any attempt to seize their land for private interests, stating: “Our land is not for sale, not for ranching, and certainly not for exploitation.”
