Nigeria adopts 10-year plan to strengthen animal health systems amid disease concerns
Comes as anthrax and other livestock diseases remain a concern
NIGERIA – Nigeria has approved a national roadmap to upgrade animal health management and veterinary services over the 2026 to 2036 period, as authorities respond to ongoing disease risks affecting the livestock sector.
The plan was validated during a workshop held in Abuja between April 28 and 30, organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development Nigeria, which outlined measures to address structural gaps in veterinary systems.
According to the ministry, the strategy is designed to improve disease monitoring, expand the capacity of veterinary laboratories, scale up vaccination programmes, and introduce modern systems for livestock identification and traceability.
Stakeholders involved in the process agreed on a set of actions that include strengthening institutional frameworks, creating sustainable funding channels, and improving reporting systems for animal disease outbreaks.
The roadmap also предусматривает the rollout of a coordinated national vaccination approach, increased collaboration between public and private actors across the livestock value chain, and the adoption of digital tools alongside integrated health strategies linking animal, human, and environmental health.
Disease pressures remain
The initiative comes as Nigeria records a renewed case of Anthrax, a bacterial infection that primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, after more than a year without a major outbreak.
Authorities reported a new anthrax case on April 2 to the World Organisation for Animal Health, linked to a livestock farm in Zamfara State, marking the first significant incident since January 2025.
Beyond anthrax, a range of endemic diseases continues to affect livestock production across the country, with impacts varying by region and production system.
Multiple livestock diseases reported
A recent assessment by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Service highlighted continued exposure of cattle to diseases such as contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, foot-and-mouth disease, and bovine tuberculosis across several regions.
Small ruminants, including goats and sheep, remain affected by Peste des petits ruminants, with outbreaks recorded in parts of the central-north, northeast, and northwest.
In the poultry segment, Newcastle disease remains widespread nationwide, alongside recurring cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, avian cholera, Gumboro disease, avian typhoid, and chronic respiratory disease depending on location.
The pig sector has also reported cases of African swine fever, particularly in the north-central region, while parasitic infections continue to affect farms in the northeast.
The effectiveness of the newly adopted roadmap will depend on how these measures are implemented over time and whether they can reduce the exposure of livestock to persistent and emerging animal health threats.
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