The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen disease management in Nigeria’s livestock sector, with the goal of protecting farmers’ investments, improving animal health, and unlocking new export opportunities.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with national, regional, and state livestock coordinators, directors of veterinary services, technical experts, farmers’ associations, and development partners in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, emphasised the need for proactive surveillance and rapid response to contain outbreaks.
Maiha noted that effective disease control holds enormous economic potential, particularly for Nigeria’s meat export ambitions.
“The red meat industry is committed to working with us to begin exporting meat to the Gulf. But this depends entirely on how many animals we can certify. One Gulf country alone requires almost 200 tons of meat,” he said.
The minister underscored the importance of reinforcing Nigeria’s animal health systems, particularly with the increasing cross-border movement of livestock.
“From Sudan, DR Congo, Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso, we receive animals—and we must be in a position to certify those coming into our country,” he stated.
He urged stakeholders to design practical and workable solutions aligned with ECOWAS, FAO, and WOAH frameworks that can be integrated into the 2026 budget cycle, stressing that “protecting our farmers’ investments is paramount.”
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance for uncontrolled disease outbreaks and called for deeper collaboration among federal, state, and local authorities.
“Engaging state governors to prioritise disease control is critical. Our farmers cannot be left vulnerable,” she said.
Dr. Akujobi proposed the creation of six-month action plans across livestock clusters and value chains to deliver rapid results. She also advocated for wider dissemination of the Animal Disease Control Act to ensure that stakeholders are fully equipped for effective response.
During the meeting, national coordinators presented updates on outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF), and Rabies, highlighting government-led interventions and progress in containment efforts.
Notably, recent FMD outbreaks in several states prompted swift vaccination campaigns, intensified surveillance, and laboratory sample collection, with technical support from the Ministry, the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), and regional partners.
Farmers and associations also shared their experiences, urging the government to improve vaccine access, support herd rebuilding, ensure fair and prompt compensation, and prevent inbreeding in areas recovering from ASF.
Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, stressed the importance of contingency planning, adequate vaccine stockpiles, and stronger diagnostic capacity, noting that timely interventions have successfully limited the spread of infections and safeguarded livestock.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to strengthen disease surveillance, expand vaccination coverage, upgrade diagnostic laboratories, and intensify nationwide awareness campaigns in support of sustainable livestock health management.
