Nigeria Pushes for Climate-Resilient Grazing Reserves to Boost Livestock Sector

Nigeria’s livestock industry is set for a major transformation as the Federal Government moves to establish climate-resilient grazing reserves and expand veterinary infrastructure across the country. The initiative aims to strengthen animal health services at the grassroots while preparing the sector to thrive in the face of climate challenges.

Source: Peoples Gazette

Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, speaking through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said the recent induction of new Fellows of the Postgraduate College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria marks a turning point for the sector. He expressed confidence that their expertise would fuel President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for livestock development.

Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, Professor Abdulkadir Junaid of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, called for universal animal immunisation and the deployment of digital reporting tools to track and contain disease outbreaks more effectively. His message was echoed by Professor Mathew Adamu, President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and Acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, who urged the fellows to take up leadership roles in the country’s livestock transformation efforts.

The addition of 205 new fellows, according to Acting Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr. Oladotun Fadipe, will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard animal health and, by extension, public health. Acting Provost of the College, Professor Adamu Zoaka, highlighted the rigorous training and discipline the fellows had undergone, equipping them with resilience to confront the realities of veterinary practice.

Dr. Helen Ego Oputa-Chime, Interim Secretary of the College, encouraged the fellows to remain proactive and uphold the highest standards of the profession despite the rising disease burden across Africa. Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association President, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, reinforced the urgency for more specialists, stressing that the growing threat of zoonotic diseases demands heightened professional capacity.

With these strategic moves, Nigeria’s livestock sector is positioning itself for sustainable growth—armed with innovation, resilience, and a new generation of highly skilled veterinary experts.