23.3 Million Animals Vaccinated in Nigeria's Livestock Project

A total of 23.3 million animals have been vaccinated in 20 Nigerian states as part of a World Bank-supported project aimed at combating livestock diseases. The vaccination covered 10 million cattle, 9.1 million goats and sheep, and 4.1 million poultry birds.

Targeted diseases include anthrax, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), foot and mouth disease (FMD), and Newcastle disease. The project, which has a funding of $500 million over six years, aims to establish a strategic vaccine storage facility in Abuja and expand the capacity of the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to produce 150 million doses annually.

Dr. Menniviel Sene, the World Bank task team leader, urged stakeholders to accelerate implementation for sustainable benefits to livestock farmers.

The project has also constructed seven model veterinary hospitals, improved artificial insemination services, and reached 388,000 farmers, with significant improvements in livestock productivity reported.