Livestock farmers in rural communities across Nigeria often face devastating animal disease outbreaks that can destroy their livelihoods within days.
Government leaders, veterinary professionals, development partners, academics, and private sector stakeholders came together from 27th to 30th April in Abuja to deliberate on solutions to the challenges facing the livestock health sector, and more importantly, agree on a shared path forward. Convened by GALVmed in partnership with Ikore, an international development organisation, offering innovative solutions to support sustainable social and enterprise development and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), the three-day stakeholder engagement marked a significant moment in Nigeria’s veterinary profession. At the centre of the discussions was the validation of the National Roadmap for Veterinary Services in Nigeria (2027–2036), a ten-year strategy designed to modernise animal health systems, strengthen disease preparedness, and support a more resilient livestock sector nationwide.
The gathering was more than a ceremonial policy event. It was a practical working session focused on implementation, coordination, and identifying solutions to the realities facing veterinary services across Nigeria today.
Throughout the engagement, participants examined gaps in improving vaccination delivery, expanding animal identification and traceability systems, addressing emerging livestock disease threats, and advancing the One Health approach that connects animal, human, and environmental health.
There was also strong emphasis on partnerships. Speakers repeatedly stressed that improving veterinary services at national scale will require closer collaboration between government institutions, private sector actors, development organisations, and state-level implementers.
The meeting itself reflected that broad coalition. Participants included senior federal officials, Directors of Veterinary Services from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, development partners, academics, vaccine commercial partners, and leaders from across the veterinary and livestock sectors. Also in attendance were the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON) Dr Samuel Anzaku, and renowned virologist Professor Oyewale Tomori.
For many attendees, the significance of the moment was clear. In the words of Dr Samuel Anzaku, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, “This is the first time we are having this kind of gathering since the veterinary profession started in the early 60s. This meeting is more than important; it allows us to chart a way forward for the veterinary profession in Nigeria.”
Beyond animal health, the conversations repeatedly returned to the economic importance of the livestock sector itself. According to projections by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Nigeria’s livestock industry is currently valued at approximately $32 billion, with ambitions to grow the sector significantly over the next decade.
That growth cannot happen without stronger vaccination systems and better last-mile delivery of veterinary services.
GALVmed’s Veterinary Innovations Transforming Animal Health and Livelihoods (VITAL2) project, implemented by Ikore in Nigeria, is working to address those gaps by improving awareness, strengthening vaccine service delivery, and expanding access to vaccines in underserved communities.
Dr Moses Arokoyo, GALVmed’s Nigeria Country Manager, puts it plainly: health is wealth. “GALVmed’s VITAL 2 Project focuses on three major Pillars: animal health advocacy, disease awareness creation, and improved veterinary service delivery even to the last mile. This supports the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development’s NL-GAS Strategy with the newly formed 10-year Road Map for Nigerian Veterinary Service, and we are poised to partner and help grow the livestock industry in Nigeria from $32 billion to the targeted $74 billion through ruminant vaccination.”
For Ikore, the project represents a defining moment. “This marks a significant milestone as we contribute to the transformation the Nigerian livestock industry is set to embark on. We are particularly excited to deliver key components of the VITAL 2 project, with a strong focus on the exemplar areas,” says Ogheneovo Ugbebor, Managing Partner at Ikore.
By the close of deliberations, stakeholders had adopted a series of resolutions focused on strengthening institutional capacity, improving disease surveillance systems, establishing sustainable funding mechanisms, coordinating national vaccination efforts, and expanding public-private partnerships across the livestock value chain. The roadmap also places strong emphasis on digital transformation and embedding One Health principles into long-term sector governance.
The validation of the roadmap represents both progress and responsibility. The real test now lies beyond conference halls and policy documents — in communities where farmers struggle to access timely animal health services, where disease outbreaks continue to threaten livelihoods, and where stronger veterinary systems could have a direct impact on food security, public health, and economic stability.
Blog written by Calista Iheoma Geoffery, Communications Associate at Ikore.
