Nigeria, FAO join forces to curb livestock diseases

NIGERIA – Nigeria’s Federal Government has joined hands with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to step up efforts against livestock diseases that threaten both animal and human health. 

The initiative, launched through a three-day training workshop in Abuja, aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond swiftly to zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases.

The workshop, organized under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), brought together federal and state veterinary and epidemiology officers to enhance preparedness for animal health emergencies in line with global best practices and the One Health approach.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, underscored the crucial role of the livestock sector in Nigeria’s food security, livelihoods, and public health. 

He emphasized that safeguarding animal health is central to sustaining the nation’s agricultural productivity.

“The livestock sector remains a vital component of Nigeria’s food security, rural livelihoods, and public health system,” Maiha said. 

“However, the sector continues to face persistent challenges, particularly animal health-related threats, which require urgent and coordinated actions from all stakeholders to safeguard productivity and sustainability.”

Maiha urged veterinary officers nationwide to reinforce surveillance and response systems, noting that early detection and swift intervention are key to preventing disease outbreaks from escalating into national crises.

Partnership for global standards

L-PRES National Project Coordinator, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, explained that the training is designed to boost technical capacity among veterinary and public health professionals, enabling them to anticipate better and manage livestock disease outbreaks. 

He added that the program aligns with animal health standards set by the FAO and World Health Organization (WHO), fostering stronger coordination and risk management within Nigeria’s veterinary public health system.

“The initiative seeks to enhance coordination, risk assessment, and contingency planning,” Abubakar said, “ensuring that Nigeria’s veterinary services can effectively respond to emerging threats.”

Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Anzaku, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, commended the organizers for the timely intervention. He said the training would promote best veterinary practices and strengthen national animal health services.

Security support for livestock protection

In a related development, the Head of the Force Animal Branch of the Nigeria Police Force, AIG Aishatu Abubakar, announced the establishment of a Police Livestock Squad to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts and safeguard livestock assets. She emphasized that security cooperation is essential for achieving sustainable livestock development.

FAO’s Country Team Lead for the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Dr Otto Muhinda, reaffirmed the organization’s continued commitment to supporting Nigeria’s livestock sector, calling livestock production “central to poverty reduction and economic growth across Africa.”

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