Nomadic school

In a renewed push for peaceful coexistence and social inclusion, Fulani leaders from all 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State have called on government authorities to revive abandoned nomadic schools across Nigeria. They say this step is essential to addressing illiteracy and preventing further clashes between farmers and herders.

The appeal was made on Friday during a stakeholders’ engagement in Lafia, organised by the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organisation (FUDECO), with the theme: “Consolidating the Outcomes of the IDRC-SPARC GES Research Findings on the Economic Empowerment of Pastoralist Women in Nasarawa State.”

Muhammad Habib Hussaini, Nasarawa State Chairman of FUDECO, who spoke on behalf of the Fulani leaders, lamented the frequency of deadly conflicts involving herders and farmers, not only in Nasarawa but across Nigeria. He identified the lack of education and awareness as a key driver of these clashes.

“We are calling on the government at all levels to revive and reopen nomadic schools,” Hussaini said. “Most of the problems happening in our pastoralist communities can be traced to ignorance, so promoting nomadic education is very important.”

He stressed that educating pastoralist children would empower them with the knowledge to appreciate peaceful coexistence and reject violence as a means of conflict resolution.

Highlighting the role of education and empowerment in building peace, Hussaini also commended the successful training of over 250 Fulani women through a programme supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises (SPARC), with funding from UKAID.

The women were taught vocational skills and provided with start-up capital to launch small-scale businesses aimed at securing their livelihoods and reducing economic vulnerability.

“This project aims to promote the economic empowerment of pastoralist women,” Hussaini added. “Our research has evaluated its impact, identified challenges, and made recommendations for policymakers.”

Dr Usman Ibrahim, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the Federal University of Lafia and the lead researcher on the programme, explained the broader significance of the initiative.

“Over 70 per cent of pastoralist women did not receive formal education,” he said. “By training them in skills, we’re giving them alternatives to poverty and crime, both of which are major contributors to insecurity.”