By Muhammad Amaan
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has emphasised the importance of preventive animal healthcare in strengthening Nigeria’s livestock sector and achieving sustainable food security.
The FAO stated this in Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday at the graduation of the second cohort of veterinary paraprofessionals trained under its initiative, “Growing Your Business Through Animal Preventive Healthcare Services.”
FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr Hussein Gadein, said the programme was designed to equip veterinary paraprofessionals with practical skills to detect animal diseases early, support farmers and improve livestock productivity.
Dr Gadein said that animal health was closely linked to human wellbeing, rural livelihoods and the resilience of national food systems.
“By investing in veterinary paraprofessionals, we are investing in the backbone of Nigeria’s rural economy and strengthening the livestock value chain,” he said.
The FAO representative explained that historically many livestock diseases in developing countries were addressed only after outbreaks occurred, often leading to heavy losses for farmers and disruptions in food supply chains.
According to him, FAO and its partners are working to change this narrative by promoting preventive and integrated animal health management, in line with global standards and the One Health approach.
Dr Gadein said that ongoing efforts under the programme had helped expand vaccination coverage, strengthen laboratory systems, improve community-level disease surveillance and promote biosecurity practices among livestock farmers.
He added that the introduction of digital tools and mobile platforms had also improved real-time reporting of animal diseases and enhanced coordination between field workers and veterinary authorities.
“Livestock contributes nearly eight per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, yet the full potential of the sector remains untapped,” he said.
Consequently, the FAO representative urged stakeholders to intensify investments in animal health services.
Earlier, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Ansaku, said the graduating veterinary paraprofessionals would play a critical role in reducing animal mortality.
He stated that the graduates would be supporting livestock farmers, particularly in rural communities where access to veterinary services was limited.
Dr Ansaku, who represented the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, urged the graduates to practise ethically and collaborate with veterinarians and other stakeholders in the sector.
Alhaji Mukhtar Maiha said that strengthening the livestock subsector was essential to improve nutrition and address protein deficiency in many African countries.
The training was implemented by FAO in collaboration Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology to strengthen Nigeria’s animal health systems and support rural livelihoods.
