… Nigeria collaboration with the FAO would help safeguard livestock assets
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has approved a $350,000 emergency intervention fund to support Nigeria’s response to the outbreak of bird flu, also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, currently affecting 11 states across the country.
Announced in Abuja, the technical support programme is designed to strengthen animal health systems, improve disease surveillance, and facilitate the creation of a livestock donor working group that will develop a national feed and fodder strategy.
The agreement followed a strategic meeting between the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the FAO representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain.
Maiha stressed that strengthening disease control systems is essential for boosting livestock productivity and protecting investments in the sector. He noted that collaboration with the FAO would help safeguard livestock assets while supporting broader reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry into a more productive and resilient sector.
During the meeting, both parties also reviewed Nigeria’s efforts to combat Peste des Petits Ruminants, a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats that has long constrained small ruminant production across Africa.
As part of the strategy, the ministry will work with the National Veterinary Research Institute to evaluate domestic vaccine production capacity while exploring additional procurement options to address supply gaps.
Officials also discussed accessing financing from the Pandemic Fund through the One Health framework in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health to strengthen the country’s preparedness for zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Stakeholders say stronger disease surveillance, improved veterinary services, and coordinated donor support will be key to stabilising livestock production and boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving livestock sector.
The meeting also agreed to establish a livestock donor working group to coordinate development partner support, including plans to develop a national feed and fodder strategy aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the industry.
