Nigeria commissions model veterinary hospital in Borno

NIGERIA – The Federal Government has commissioned a model veterinary hospital in Maiduguri, Borno State, as part of efforts to improve animal health services, strengthen livestock productivity and support pastoralist communities under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project.

Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha inaugurated the L-PRES Model Veterinary Hospital (LMVM) on Wednesday, describing the facility as a major investment in veterinary infrastructure for one of Nigeria’s livestock-producing regions.

The hospital is equipped with a modern surgical theatre, diagnostic laboratory, radiology unit and ambulatory service. 

These facilities are expected to provide veterinary care to livestock owners across Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

According to Maiha, seven model veterinary hospitals have now been completed under the L-PRES programme in Adamawa, Sokoto, Enugu, Niger, Ondo, Edo and Borno states. 

A further 14 facilities are at various stages of completion across the country.

The minister said the Borno hospital is the largest completed facility because of the state’s substantial livestock population.

The Federal Government plans to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as part of a broader strategy to improve access to animal health services.

Borno targets stronger livestock productivity

Maiha urged the Borno State Government to prioritise the recruitment, training and continuous professional development of veterinary and para-veterinary personnel to ensure the new facility is effectively utilised.

The intervention comes as Borno continues to invest in infrastructure supporting livestock-dependent communities. 

Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur said the state had received significant support through collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

More than 39 infrastructure facilities have been provided across three Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) in Borno’s senatorial districts, according to Kadafur. 

The infrastructure is intended to improve livestock productivity and pastoralist livelihoods.

Kadafur also called for stronger federal and cross-border collaboration to manage transboundary livestock movements, particularly along cattle routes connecting Borno with Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The movement of livestock across borders remains an important consideration for animal health authorities, particularly in regions where pastoralist production systems and trade routes extend across national boundaries.

Borno is also pursuing genetic improvement as part of its livestock development programme. 

Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock Development Tijjani Muhammad said an artificial insemination programme targeting 3,000 cows was ongoing.

The state is further expecting investments in the dairy value chain to strengthen processing and value addition while creating economic opportunities for women and young people.

The commissioning of the Maiduguri facility therefore adds veterinary capacity to a wider package of livestock interventions in Borno, with improved disease diagnosis, treatment and animal health services expected to support productivity across the livestock value chain.

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