The Federal Government has launched a nationwide mass animal vaccination exercise as part of renewed efforts to curb transboundary animal diseases and strengthen Nigeria’s livestock production system.
The exercise was formally flagged off in Sokoto State under the World Bank–supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).
Although only 20 states have formally subscribed to the L-PRES programme, authorities confirmed that the vaccination campaign will be implemented in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, 18.2 million doses of vaccines have been allocated for the exercise.
The campaign targets major livestock diseases, including Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Peste des Petits Ruminants, and Newcastle Disease.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha said the initiative was designed to boost productivity, reduce losses among livestock farmers and enhance the resilience of the sector against disease outbreaks.
During the visit, Maiha and the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu also inaugurated a newly completed L-PRES Model Veterinary Hospital in the state, the third of 21 such facilities planned nationwide.
The hospital is expected to function as a central hub for improved veterinary services in Sokoto, with modern diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
Also, the hospital includes ambulatory services aimed at responding to animal health emergencies, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
It is believed that the vaccination drive and the expansion of veterinary infrastructure are key pillars of the government’s strategy to modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
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