Nigeria, FAO Step Up Measures to Curb Avian Influenza Spread

The Nigerian Government and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, FAO, are strengthening measures to control avian influenza through animal movement restrictions, disease surveillance and improved biosecurity across the poultry sector.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development’s National Programme Coordinator for Avian Influenza Control, Dr Mitchell Alao, disclosed this at a workshop on strengthening the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Alao said movement controls were necessary to prevent infected birds from spreading the disease to unaffected areas. He also called for stronger surveillance, public awareness and cooperation with security agencies and government authorities to improve enforcement.

He disclosed that FAO provided a 350-thousand-dollar emergency grant to support avian influenza control in Nigeria, with the intervention expected to end in April 2027.

FAO Livestock Team Lead in Nigeria, Dr Otto Vianney, said the organisation had developed a digital tool to collect animal movement data and improve tracking of livestock transportation.

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service said better monitoring of poultry transportation would protect farmers’ investments, food safety, jobs and the supply of animal products, while addressing challenges such as illegal transportation, poor compliance and inadequate infrastructure.