The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark have strengthened their collaboration in livestock development with the signing of a new cooperation agreement aimed at improving animal health, food safety, disease control, and agricultural innovation across Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on Sunday, marks the commencement of Phase II of the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) Programme in Livestock Production between the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.
However, the initiative is expected to accelerate livestock sector reforms, enhance food and nutrition security, strengthen disease prevention systems, and improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s livestock industry.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the development as a renewed commitment by both countries to deliver practical benefits for livestock producers, processors, regulators, and consumers.
He noted that the partnership has emerged as a model of international cooperation, producing measurable outcomes in capacity building and sector development.
According to the minister, more than 100 Nigerian officials have already benefited from specialised training under the partnership in areas including food and feed safety, animal disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance management, climate adaptation, and veterinary regulation.
He also announced the launch of a joint antimicrobial resistance pilot programme in Oyo and Kano states as one of the key outcomes of the collaboration.
Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, said the second phase of the programme would shift focus from institutional capacity building to implementation, with greater emphasis on field interventions, biosecurity, disease prevention, surveillance systems, and support for livestock farmers and value chain actors.
Also speaking, Eva Edwards, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration on food safety, feed management, traceability systems, veterinary drug regulation, and data sharing to build a more resilient food safety framework.
Representing the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Alex Sigersen commended the commitment demonstrated by Nigerian institutions and stakeholders, expressing confidence that the next phase of the programme would translate technical cooperation into tangible benefits for farmers, communities, and the livestock industry.
The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, alongside senior government officials, representatives of NAFDAC, and officials from the Danish Embassy and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
