NVMA Raises Alarm: 65% of Human Diseases in Nigeria Linked to Livestock

The President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Moses Arokoya, has revealed that nearly two-thirds of human diseases in Nigeria are linked to livestock, warning that the trend poses a growing threat to public health.

Speaking at the 61st Annual National Congress and General Meeting of the association in Jalingo, Dr. Arokoya said zoonotic diseases — those transmitted between animals and humans — are rising sharply across the country. He noted that about 2.7 million lives are lost globally every year to such infections, underscoring the urgency for coordinated national action.

Arokoya described Taraba State as a strategic choice for this year’s congress, pointing out that the Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area had been earmarked for a Disease-Free Zone (DFZ). According to him, eradicating animal diseases from the area could significantly boost meat production and strengthen Nigeria’s livestock economy.

He emphasized the need to establish more DFZs nationwide, saying they would not only improve animal health but also serve as economic drivers for rural communities.

The NVMA president also expressed concern over the poor state of abattoirs across the country, noting that unhygienic slaughter facilities have worsened microbial resistance. He warned that many Nigerians are unknowingly exposed to animal drugs through poorly handled meat, calling for the establishment of modern abattoirs in all 774 local government areas to protect both human health and food safety.