FG Steps Up Fight Against Livestock Diseases, Targets Export Growth and Farmer Protection

The Federal Government is ramping up its drive to curb disease outbreaks in Nigeria’s livestock sector, reinforcing measures to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and bolster national food security.

Source: thesun.ng

At a strategic meeting in Abuja with key players — from veterinary directors and farmers’ associations to development partners — the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, highlighted the urgent need for proactive surveillance and swift response systems to contain emerging threats. He noted that stronger disease control not only protects rural economies but also unlocks export opportunities for Nigerian meat producers.

“The red meat industry is eager to start exporting to the Gulf,” Maiha revealed. “But that can only happen if we can certify enough healthy animals. One Gulf nation alone demands nearly 200 tons of meat — a huge economic opening for Nigeria.”

He warned that Nigeria must remain vigilant as animal movements from neighbouring countries like Sudan, Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso continue to rise. “We must be capable of certifying every animal that enters our borders,” the Minister stressed, urging stakeholders to design realistic solutions that align with ECOWAS, FAO, and WOAH standards.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on uncontrolled outbreaks, calling for tighter collaboration among federal, state, and local authorities. “Our farmers cannot be left exposed,” she said, advocating for practical six-month action plans that deliver quick, visible results across livestock value chains.

Technical experts at the meeting reported progress in controlling recent cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever, and Avian Influenza, noting rapid response measures including vaccination drives and surveillance support from the National Veterinary Research Institute. Farmers, however, appealed for sustained access to vaccines, fair compensation for losses, and greater support to rebuild herds — a call that underscores the human cost and resilience shaping Nigeria’s livestock recovery story.