The National Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has underscored the capacity of the livestock sector to significantly enhance Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through qualitative animal production.
This assertion was made by NVMA’s National President, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, during a press briefing in Jos, Plateau State, as the association’s ongoing national congress, scheduled for October 21-25, marks 100 years since its establishment in 1924.
Arokoyo highlighted the significance of this year’s congress, emphasizing the importance of Jos, where the veterinary profession in Nigeria began in 1924 in Vom.
“This year’s congress is very significant. It is like a homecoming for the veterinary profession, coming back to Jos where it all started,” he remarked.
Aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security, Arokoyo assured that veterinarians are ready to play a critical role in the national initiative.
He expressed concern about the current recession in the livestock sector, revealing that as of Q1 2024, the sector recorded a -23.39% performance, while aquaculture posted -1.14%.
“We can officially say, based on statistics, that the livestock industry is in recession. We, as veterinarians, are properly positioned to change this status quo. The expertise we bring can contribute significantly to the economy, for instance, by introducing 10 million broilers and running six cycles annually, yielding N420 billion,” he added.
Arokoyo also shed light on the crucial role veterinarians play in public health, particularly in combating zoonotic diseases.
He cited that 75% of emerging diseases are animal-borne, warning that nations that fail to take veterinarians seriously are unprepared for future pandemics. “About 2.6 billion people suffer from zoonotic diseases, and 2.7 million deaths result from zoonosis annually,” he noted.
The congress will feature professionals from various fields sharing insights on how artificial intelligence can enhance veterinary practices. Additionally, a special address from the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations is expected at the opening ceremony.
Addressing the shortage of veterinarians in Nigeria, Arokoyo stressed the critical need for more personnel across the country’s 774 local government areas.
“Very few local governments have a veterinarian, and when disease outbreaks occur, they often start in overlooked rural areas, not cities,” he explained.
He pointed to rabies as an example of a preventable yet deadly disease, highlighting ongoing vaccination efforts across the country to combat the illness.
Arokoyo also urged the government to increase budgetary allocations to agriculture and livestock, referencing the Maputo Declaration’s recommendation to allocate 10% of the national budget to agriculture.
“We are thankful for the President’s announcement of a Ministry of Livestock Development, and we hope this will result in better funding, moving us from the current 1.3% to the actual 10% required for meaningful impact,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Arokoyo reiterated the vital role veterinarians play in public health and national development, calling for their full integration into the country’s development strategies.
“We urge the federal government to employ veterinarians at all levels. This is not for self-interest, but for the safety and health of the nation,” he concluded.