The Federal Government has announced a series of measures aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s livestock industry, including the creation of climate-resilient grazing reserves, expansion of veterinary health infrastructure, and enhancement of community-based animal health services.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed these plans during the convocation and 7th investiture ceremony of new Fellows of the Postgraduate College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria in Abuja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, Maiha expressed confidence that the induction of 205 new fellows would provide the necessary expertise to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the livestock sector.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to transforming the industry through sustainable policies and improved veterinary services.
In his keynote address, Professor Abdulkadir Junaid of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, advocated for nationwide animal immunisation and the adoption of digital reporting systems to enhance disease surveillance and response. He stressed the importance of leveraging technology to address emerging health challenges in livestock.
Professor Mathew Adamu, President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and Acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, urged the newly inducted fellows to contribute actively to the nation’s livestock transformation agenda.
Similarly, Dr. Oladotun Fadipe, Acting Registrar of the Veterinary Council, noted that the addition of these professionals would significantly improve animal and public health outcomes.
The Acting Provost of the Postgraduate College of Veterinary Surgeons, Professor Adamu Zoaka, highlighted the rigorous selection process for fellows, emphasising that their training had equipped them with the skills to tackle veterinary challenges. Dr. Helen Ego Oputa-Chime, interim Secretary of the College, called for resilience and professionalism in addressing the rising disease burden in Africa.
Dr. Moses Arokoyo, President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, underscored the growing threat of zoonotic diseases and the need for more specialists to manage these risks. The event reinforced the government’s commitment to strengthening the livestock sector through strategic investments and professional capacity building.
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