The Federal Government, under the World Bank–supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Project (L-PRES), has unveiled a model veterinary hospital in Enugu.
This comes shortly after the government opened a similar facility in Yola, Adamawa State.
At the inauguration held on Tuesday 2nd December 2025, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the project as clear evidence that the Renewed Hope Agenda is advancing modern livestock services across the country.
He revealed that seven model veterinary hospitals have already been completed nationwide while fourteen additional centres are in various stages of development.
Representing the Governor of Enugu State, Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Deputy Governor, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, commended the Federal Government for extending quality animal health services to the Southeast.
He encouraged collaboration between the hospital and Enugu State University to enhance veterinary education, improve livestock productivity and support broader economic advancement.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, stated that the well-equipped facility will improve access to diagnosis, treatment and preventive care for livestock owners. She emphasised that healthy animals lead to safer food, stronger markets and better livelihoods, describing the new hospital as a lifeline for communities.
National Project Coordinator of L PRES, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, explained that the hospital will operate through a blend of private and government veterinarians as well as veterinary paraprofessionals.
He said this governance structure will be formally launched by the Minister and is designed to strengthen sustainability, widen service delivery and promote closer public and private sector cooperation.
Later in the day, the Minister carried out the groundbreaking ceremony for the Enugu State Integrated Livestock Centre in Ubahu Nkanu East LGA.
This large-scale ranching project, planned to hold an initial 15,000 cattle, is intended to shift the state away from open grazing toward a fully integrated and commercially viable livestock value chain.
It aims to boost food security, attract investment, generate employment and position Enugu as a future hub for meat processing and export.
The events drew the participation of key stakeholders including the World Bank Co Task Team Leader for L PRES, Dr Chidozie Anyiro, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industralisation, Dr Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, senior directors from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Animal Science, Prof Herbert Udo, the Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Enugu chapter, Dr Joseph Iloh, and the Enugu State L PRES Coordinator, Dr Ifeyinwa Elizabeth Nnajeze, among others.
