Yobe RUGA settlement launched by Governor Mai Mala Buni offers housing, school, and healthcare to ease farmer-herder conflicts
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Sunday officially inaugurated a Fulani Rural Grazing Area initiative Settlement in Nguru Local Government Area aimed at curbing violent clashes between farmers and herders.
The project, established by philanthropist Balarabe Abdullahi, widely known as Balarabe DJ, features two-bedroom homes, a school, a shopping centre, a primary healthcare facility, potable water, electricity, and a mosque, providing a secure and sustainable environment for pastoralists.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Buni said the settlement would help curb open grazing, which frequently results in farmland destruction.
He highlighted that integrating pastoralists into the broader society would improve access to education and healthcare.
“The school, clinic, healthcare facility, and housing provided for the RUGA settlement are commendable. We appreciate his contributions on behalf of the people of Nguru, Yobe State, and Nigeria,” Buni said.
Balarabe Abdullahi explained that the initiative was designed to reduce conflicts by providing designated grazing areas for herders.
The scheme complements the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which several northern states mapped out in 2025 to address farmer-herder clashes and boost food production.
Governor Buni encouraged other public-spirited individuals to emulate Abdullahi’s efforts in promoting peace and development, describing the settlement as a model for sustainable rural growth.
