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The tensions between farmers and herders in Katsina and Zamfara states, North-West Nigeria, have been compounded by desertification, climate change, and insufficient rainfall. Rapid population growth has exacerbated the situation, leading to increased demand for natural resources and competition for land suitable for both farming and transhumance activities. These factors often result in conflicts, which may escalate into violent confrontations between farming and herding communities.
IOM, through its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), developed the Transhumance Tracking Tool (TTT) with four major components, including Transhumance Flow Monitoring. This tool collects data on transhumant migration flows, countries of origin and destinations offering a comprehensive overview of livestock movements vital for sustainable coexistence and effective policy development. As transhumance remains integral to the way of life for many communities, understanding and managing these movements are vital for sustainable coexistence. The Transhumance Flow Monitoring tool serves as a valuable resource in navigating the complexities of transhumance, offering data-driven insights to support the developmen tof effective intervention sand transhumance policies in Katsina and Zamfara States of the North-West region.
This report presents data from December 2025, collected through direct interviews and observations by DTM enumerators at 39 flow monitoring points across Katsina and Zamfara states. The enumeration covered eight local government areas (LGAs) in Katsina State(Batsari, Dan Musa, Dandume, Danja, Faskari, Jibia, Kankara, and Safana) and two LGA in Zamfara State (Bungudu and Gusau), all with the support of the European Union Fund. The practice of transhumance involves strategic, seasonally-coordinated movements: during the dry season, herders move southwards seeking water and pasture; during the rainy season, they migrate northwards. Families often move ahead early to assess security, then reunite with herders and livestock at predetermined resting points. This method ensures the safety and well-being of both herders and their herds. In December 2025, the tool identified480 herders in Katsina State and 110 herders in Zamfara State ,with anima lcounts of 13,953 and 2,038, respectively. Notably, 78 per cent of herders were Nigerian nationals, while 22 per cent were Nigerien nationals. The monitoring revealed that 56 per cent of animal movements occurred within Nigeria, while44 per cent involved cross-border flows between Nigeria and Niger.