Federal Ministry of Livestock Development - FMLD

14/10/2026

NIGERIA TO HOST FIRST GLOBAL MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON AMR IN AFRICA, CHAMPIONS MULTISECTORAL APPROACH TO PREVENTION

Today 12th October, Nigeria gets set to make history as it hosts the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Press Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), marking the first time the global gathering will take place on African soil.

The conference, themed “One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitment Through Local Action,” is scheduled to hold from December 6 to 8, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

It will bring together ministers, policymakers, scientists, development partners and stakeholders from the human health, agriculture, livestock and environmental sectors across more than 100 countries to review progress and strengthen global efforts to combat AMR.

Antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond effectively to medicines, poses a major threat to public health, food security and sustainable development.

It is estimated to be directly responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths annually worldwide and associated with nearly five million deaths.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministers’ Conference Room of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Monday, October 12, 2026, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, described AMR as a “silent pandemic” that requires urgent, coordinated action across multiple sectors.

He emphasised that the challenge cannot be addressed by the health sector alone, noting that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human medicine, livestock production, agriculture and other settings contribute to the emergence and spread of resistance.

According to him, the consequences are far-reaching, as infections that were once easily treatable may become life-threatening, while routine medical procedures, surgery and childbirth become riskier and the cost of healthcare increases for individuals and families.

The Coordinating Minister expressed Nigeria’s commitment to translating existing global agreements into concrete action, including the 2024 United Nations Political Declaration on AMR, the Muscat Manifesto and the Jeddah Commitments.

He noted that, the Abuja conference is expected to culminate in the adoption of the Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance, which will provide a framework for advancing commitments through practical, measurable and accountable actions.

Prof. Pate further stressed that Nigeria’s response is anchored on the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.

He urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication with antibiotics and to use antimicrobial medicines strictly as prescribed by qualified health professionals.

The press briefing attracted representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Also in attendance was Prof. Aliko Ahmed, Senior Adviser and Special Regional Representative of the Director-General for the West Africa Region of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The international partners reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s hosting of the conference and pledged active collaboration towards its successful hosting of the Conference.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, underscored the importance of responsible antibiotic use, describing it as a shared responsibility that begins with individual choices.

He cautioned against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics for ailments such as coughs and urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to medical prescriptions rather than discontinue treatment when symptoms improve.

Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, observed that AMR transcends sectoral and geographical boundaries, spreading between humans and animals and through food systems, water, soil and waste.

He maintained that no single Ministry or institution could effectively address the challenge in isolation, stressing the need for sustained interministerial cooperation and collective responsibility.

The Minister outlined four key commitments by the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development, and Environment:
Strengthening Whole-of-Government Coordination: Establishing and sustaining a joint One Health coordination mechanism beyond the conference to ensure continued collaboration among the relevant sectors.

-Translating Commitments into Local Action: Promoting responsible antimicrobial use in hospitals, farms and animal production systems, alongside improved waste management, water safety and environmental protection.

- Promoting Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring that governments, scientists, civil society organisations, young people, private-sector actors and local communities contribute meaningfully to the AMR response.

- Ensuring Accountability and Follow-up: Reporting publicly on Nigeria’s progress and supporting the implementation of the Abuja Compact through the Troika mechanism.

Malam Lawal further highlighted the importance of environmental cleanliness, improved sanitation and personal and community hygiene in preventing infections and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatment.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Director in the Department of Quality Assurance and Certification , Dr. Abdulkareem Durosunlorun, emphasised the need to strengthen farmer education and promote responsible antimicrobial use across Nigeria’s livestock value chain.

He cautioned livestock and poultry farmers against placing commercial interests above public health, stressing that the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal production could contribute to antimicrobial resistance and threaten the safety of animal-source foods.

Dr. Durosunlorun urged, farmers to administer antibiotics only under appropriate veterinary prescription and supervision, while strictly observing prescribed withdrawal periods before animals or their products are presented for human consumption.

He also underscored the importance of improved farm biosecurity, disease prevention, veterinary oversight and sustained awareness campaigns to reduce unnecessary dependence on antimicrobial medicines.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reiterated the importance of integrating animal health into Nigeria’s national AMR response, noting that effective disease prevention, responsible veterinary practices and stronger collaboration among farmers, veterinarians and other stakeholders are essential to safeguarding public health and sustaining livestock productivity.

In his welcome remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Plant Health and Pest Control Services, Mrs. Iwendi Grace Odunola, described AMR as both a public health challenge and a growing threat to agriculture and food security.

He explained that although antimicrobials play important roles in protecting human, animal and plant health, their inappropriate or excessive use accelerates resistance, weakens disease control, reduces agricultural productivity, compromises food safety, disrupts trade and threatens farmers’ livelihoods.

The Minister of State noted that , the conference theme highlights the urgent need to translate international commitments into practical and measurable interventions that protect human health, agricultural production, food systems and the environment.

He identified the Ministry’s priorities as promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials and agrochemicals, strengthening food safety systems, expanding agricultural extension services and educating farmers on good agricultural practices, biosecurity and Integrated Pest Management.

He added that , sustainable alternatives and improved production practices would be essential to protecting crops, livestock, consumers and the environment while supporting resilient agricultural systems.

The conference, would be co-led by the four ministries and hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and is expected to feature a Non-State Actors Day, ministerial sessions on implementation, high-impact interventions and governance, as well as a closed-door ministerial roundtable.

The gathering will culminate in the adoption of the Abuja Compact on AMR and the handover of the conference presidency to Brazil, host of the sixth edition scheduled for 2028.
Nigeria’s hosting of the conference represents a significant opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, mobilise political commitment and advance practical solutions to one of the most pressing global health and development challenges.

Through a coordinated One Health approach, the Federal Government is reaffirming its commitment to protecting human and animal health, promoting food safety, safeguarding the environment and ensuring the responsible use of antimicrobials for present and future generations.

12/10/2026

Nigeria's Ministers of Livestock Development, Health & Social Welfare, Environment and Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Security, invite journalists, newsrooms, and interested persons to the Global Press Briefing on ahead of the Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR scheduled for December.

Press Briefing Details:
🗓 Mon 12 Oct | 3PM WAT (14:00 GMT)
💻 Live on Zoom (Register Ahead) us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…



Press Briefing Details:
🗓 Mon 12 Oct | 3PM WAT (14:00 GMT)
💻 Live on Zoom (Register Ahead) us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

01/10/2026

30/09/2026

Nigeria, UNIDO Explore Partnership to Strengthen Livestock Traceability, Food Safety

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has commenced discussions with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on potential areas of technical collaboration to strengthen livestock identification and traceability, food safety, laboratory capacity, certification and Nigeria’s readiness for increased international trade in livestock products.

The engagement, which brought together officials of the Ministry and UNIDO, focused on practical interventions that can support the Federal Government’s efforts to build a more efficient, transparent and globally competitive livestock sector.

Speaking during the engagement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said animal identification and traceability would be critical to the future growth of the sector, particularly as Nigeria works towards expanding livestock production and exports.

“No trading partner will take any piece of meat from you if you don't have a system capable of tracing livestock and livestock products through the value chain,” she said.

She added that quality and safety measures should not be driven by exports alone, but must protect Nigerian consumers. “Whatever we are doing should cut across products for both international and domestic markets,” Dr. Akujobi emphasised.

She noted that the Ministry was already working towards establishing a clear policy framework for animal identification and traceability and would welcome UNIDO’s technical input on infrastructure, software and capacity building.

The Permanent Secretary also sought UNIDO’s experience on practical identification technologies, including tags and microchips, taking into account affordability, available equipment and long-term sustainability for farmers.

The Ministry further identified the development of disease-free zones or compartments, training of federal and state veterinary inspectors, strengthening biosecurity and upgrading laboratory capacity as areas requiring attention as Nigeria expands its livestock export ambitions.

Presenting UNIDO’s areas of potential support, the UNIDO Regional Programme Manager, Adalberto Carvalho Santos Vieira, said the organisation could assist Nigeria in deploying digital technologies for livestock identification and traceability, linking animal identification to databases to strengthen animal health, build consumer confidence and facilitate access to export markets.

“UNIDO has successfully worked on livestock identification and traceability systems in other nations. We believe we can support the deployment of digital tracking technology to guarantee animal health, build consumer trust and open doors to related exports,” the UNIDO representative said.

The organisation also indicated its readiness to support testing and food safety systems, including laboratory capacity, inspector training and certification processes, while helping to assess existing national and regional capacities and identify priority gaps.

A key expected outcome of the proposed partnership is to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to export honey, red meat and other livestock-related products to international markets by ensuring that products can be properly traced, tested, certified and shown to meet applicable international requirements.

29/09/2026

FG Reaffirms Commitment to Eliminate Rabies by 2030, Calls for Stronger Collaboration.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating rabies in Nigeria by 2030, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the human, animal and environmental health sectors to intensify mass dog vaccination, public awareness, surveillance and access to post-exposure prophylaxis.

This call was made today Monday 28th September, at the year 2026 World Rabies Day Symposium held in Abuja to commemorate this years theme, “Stronger Together,” .with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, Chairing the occasion.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Akujobi said that the commemoration was not about celebrating rabies, but about drawing attention to an ongoing public health challenge, remembering those who have lost their lives to the disease and renewing the collective commitment to ending preventable deaths from rabies.

She described rabies as one of the world's most devastating yet preventable zoonotic diseases, noting that once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is virtually 100 per cent fatal.

She, however, stressed that, rabies deaths can be prevented through responsible animal ownership, vaccination, timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis and effective surveillance.

According to her, dogs account for more than 99 per cent of human rabies deaths globally, making mass dog vaccination one of the most critical interventions for protecting human lives and advancing efforts towards rabies elimination.

The Permanent Secretary said the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development remained committed to strengthening veterinary service delivery, disease surveillance and reporting, laboratory capacity and other public health interventions required to control and ultimately eliminate rabies.

She called on State Governments, Local Government Authorities, veterinary and human health professionals, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, communities and dog owners to support and participate actively in annual mass dog vaccination campaigns.

Dr. Akujobi disclosed that the Ministry procured 26,000 doses of rabies vaccines in the previous year and was working towards procuring additional doses, stressing the need for a coordinated national vaccination plan with clear targets and measurable outcomes towards achieving the 2030 elimination goal.

Also speaking, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, said the Ministry had received strong political support in its efforts to combat rabies, stressing that successful elimination requires a coordinated One Health approach involving the veterinary, human health and environmental sectors.

Dr. Anzaku identified , inadequate vaccination coverage, limited access to post-exposure prophylaxis, weak surveillance systems and inadequate sustainable financing as some of the challenges confronting rabies control in Nigeria.

He, however, noted that the challenges also provide opportunities for innovative, evidence-based and collaborative interventions, assuring that the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer remained committed to providing the technical leadership and coordination required to advance Nigeria's journey towards rabies elimination by 2030.

In their goodwill messages, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, Core Group Partners Project, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, World Health Organization, War Against Rabies Foundation, Small Animal Veterinary Association of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Environment, FCT Administration and Kick Out Rabies Development Initiative, among others, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigeria's efforts to eliminate rabies.

The stakeholders emphasised the importance of the One Health approach, calling for stronger inter-sectoral coordination, improved access to post-exposure prophylaxis, sustained community sensitisation, responsible dog ownership, strengthened surveillance and continuous mass vaccination of dogs.

The WHO representative stressed the importance of protecting children, who constitute a significant proportion of people affected by rabies, while calling for equitable access to post-exposure prophylaxis and increased public awareness of dog vaccination schedules.

The Core Group Partners Project reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community-based awareness, surveillance, reporting and demand creation for rabies vaccination at the grassroots level.

The commemoration concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to work “Stronger Together” towards achieving a rabies-free Nigeria by 2030.

26/09/2026

World Rabies Day 2026: FMLD, Partners Mobilise Nigerians for Stronger Fight Against Rabies

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has called for strengthened collaboration among government institutions, communities, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders to accelerate efforts towards the elimination of rabies in Nigeria.

The call was made on Friday, 25 September 2026, during activities to commemorate the 2026 World Rabies Day, with the theme: “Stronger Together: Ending Rabies in Nigeria.”

Speaking at the event, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and Director, Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Dr. Samuel Akawu Anzaku, said rabies remained a major public health concern, despite being a preventable and vaccine-preventable disease.

He said Nigeria was joining the global effort to eliminate rabies by 2030, stressing that the commemoration should go beyond a one-day event and translate public awareness into sustained and practical interventions, particularly through mass dog vaccination.

According to him, activities lined up for the campaign include mass vaccination targeting communities and Area Councils, a technical symposium and wider national mobilisation involving State Veterinary Services, the private sector, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Dr. Anzaku also disclosed, plans to introduce human pre-exposure prophylaxis for frontline workers who are regularly exposed to dogs, including veterinarians, para-veterinary professionals and hunters.

He emphasised the importance of adopting the One Health approach in addressing rabies, noting that effective control requires coordinated action across the livestock, human health and environmental sectors.

The Chief Veterinary Officer also called for stronger measures to address the challenge of stray dogs, with the active involvement of relevant environmental authorities.

He urged members of the public to take unusual changes in the behaviour of dogs seriously, particularly unprovoked aggression, excessive irritability and abnormal biting.

He further advised dog owners to ensure that, their animals are regularly vaccinated and encouraged anyone bitten or exposed to a suspected rabid animal to report immediately to the nearest health or veterinary facility for appropriate medical attention.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator, Rabies Control Programme in Nigeria and Coordinator, National One Health Technical Working Group on Rabies, Dr. George Uzaga Onyemaokwu, disclosed that Nigeria continues to record cases of rabies across the country, with reports received from between 18 and 20 states in some months.

He said more than 100 cases had already been recorded between January and August 2026, noting that rabies has been reported in different parts of the country, with some areas in the North-Central and North-East identified as areas of particular concern.

Dr. Onyemaokwu identified responsible dog ownership as one of the most important measures for controlling rabies. He explained that while dogs are not naturally carriers of the virus, they can become infected when exposed to the rabies virus.

He disclosed that Nigeria has an estimated dog population of more than 30 million and stressed the importance of achieving high vaccination coverage, with a target of vaccinating approximately 70 per cent of the dog population.

He therefore called on State Governments, development partners, private-sector organisations and other stakeholders to support mass dog vaccination campaigns, noting that prevention through vaccination remains critical to saving lives and reducing the economic burden associated with rabies.

Other stakeholders at the event also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the national response to rabies.

The One Health Lead at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Nasir Ahmed, stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, communities and other stakeholders. He noted that the Centre continues to support public awareness and access to post-exposure prophylaxis for persons exposed to rabies.

The FCT One Health Desk Officer, Dr. Sharifat Fadugba, called for stronger community engagement, improved availability of reliable data on the dog population and increased vaccination coverage, particularly at the grassroots level.

The Chairperson, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), FCT Chapter, Dr. Chinnemeka Joe Irobe, who represented the National President, Dr. Moses Arokoju, disclosed that the Association had commenced mass dog vaccination across rural communities in the FCT.

She reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting national efforts towards the prevention and eventual elimination of rabies.

The stakeholders called on Nigerians to practise responsible dog ownership, ensure that their dogs are vaccinated and promptly report all dog-bite incidents to the nearest health or veterinary facility for appropriate intervention.

They stressed that, sustained collaboration across the human, animal and environmental health sectors remains essential to achieving Nigeria’s goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.

11/09/2026

FG Targets Year-Round Feed Supply to Raise Livestock Productivity

The Federal Government has identified year-round availability of affordable and nutritionally balanced feed as critical to raising livestock productivity and building a more competitive livestock industry in Nigeria.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated this on Thursday 10th September 2026, at the launch of Olam Agri’s TrueValue Cattle Feed in Kaduna, where he stressed that Nigeria’s livestock sector could not fully realise the genetic potential of its animals without adequate nutrition.

"Good genetics must be matched with good nutrition if we are to achieve optimal growth for milk production, fertility, animal health, and overall farm productivity," the Minister said.

He noted that, feed represents one of the major costs in livestock production, adding that its quality and availability have a direct impact on animal health, growth and survivability.

According to him, the availability of feed throughout the year, whether through fodder, crop residues or concentrates, is fundamental to sustainable livestock production and has wider implications for food security, economic prosperity and peaceful livestock management.

The Minister said, the introduction of quality concentrate feeds was particularly relevant to the development of commercial feedlot systems for cattle and other livestock.

He explained that, when concentrates are combined with quality fodder, clean water and sound animal husbandry practices, they can support better feed conversion, faster weight gain and shorter finishing periods, enabling farmers to take healthier and better-finished animals to market.

He further said, a stronger feed industry would contribute to the development of the wider livestock value chain by supporting investment in feedlots, abattoirs, meat processing, packaging, transportation and marketing.

"A more productive and reliable feed industry will ensure the regular supply of quality cattle, sheep, and goats to our abattoirs. It will also encourage investment in modern feedlots, slaughter facilities, meat processing, culture infrastructure, packaging, branding, transportation, and marketing," he said.

The Minister, however, called for a coordinated approach to developing Nigeria’s feed and fodder sector, involving fodder producers, crop farmers, feed manufacturers, livestock producers, research institutions, financial institutions and processors.

He stressed the need for improved feed testing, appropriate ration formulation, certification of commercial feeds, quality assurance and stronger measures to control contaminants, while also expanding the production and conservation of quality fodder.

The Minister commended, Olam Agri for its investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector, describing the launch as a practical contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise livestock production and build a productive, commercially viable and sustainable industry.

He further encouraged, the Company to make its feeds accessible and affordable to farmers and to support the product with farmer training, feeding demonstrations and collaboration with research and regulatory institutions.

In his remarks, Olam Agri’s President and Global Head of Animal Feeds and Proteins Business, Mr. Sharad Gupta, said the company was leveraging its established feed business and distribution network to introduce its cattle feed into the Nigerian market.

He explained that ,while the cattle feed distribution network was still being developed, the company would combine its existing feed dealers with established players in the cattle sector who already have direct relationships with livestock farmers.

Gupta said Olam Agri, was focused on making TrueValue Cattle Feed competitively priced rather than pursuing small volumes at high prices. According to him, the company intends to use its scale in sourcing, processing and distribution to achieve efficiencies and pass the benefits on to farmers.

“We are not looking to make small quantities and sell them at high price. We are looking to make large quantities and keep them very, very tightly competitively priced,” Gupta said.

He added that, the company already sources over 90 per cent of the raw materials for its existing poultry feed business locally, including corn, soy, rice bran, groundnut cake, minerals and limestone, while its wheat milling operations also provide access to wheat bran, an important ingredient in ruminant feed production.

06/09/2026