Nigeria Vaccinates 23.3M Animals to Boost Livestock Health

A total of 23.3 million animals have been vaccinated across Nigeria as part of a World Bank-supported project, which has a budget of $500 million over six years. The vaccination campaign covers 10 million cattle, 9.1 million goats and sheep, and 4.1 million poultry birds across 20 participating states.

Targeted diseases include anthrax, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), pest de petit ruminant (PPR), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and Newcastle disease. The project, coordinated by Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, aims to establish a strategic vaccine storage facility in Abuja and expand the annual vaccine production capacity of the NVRI from 150 million to 850 million doses.

The initiative has also constructed seven model veterinary hospitals, with three completed and 13 others under construction. It has improved livestock breeding through artificial insemination services, benefiting 1,492 farmers and directly impacting 1.44 million Nigerians, including 546,000 women.

The project has achieved 120% access to veterinary services and has renovated 54 slaughter facilities to meet climate-smart standards.