The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has inaugurated a 33-member National Technical Working Group (TWG) to spearhead the control and eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious disease threatening Nigeria’s sheep and goat population.
The inauguration took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Abuja, with the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, describing PPR as one of the most devastating transboundary animal diseases affecting small ruminants in endemic regions, including Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, 13th January, 2026, by Ogochukwu Igboamalu, Assistant Chief Executive Officer on Information to the Ministry.
Maiha said the impact of PPR extends far beyond animal health, noting that the disease severely affects the livelihoods of pastoralists and smallholder farmers, weakens food and nutrition security, and limits both domestic and international trade in livestock and livestock products.
He stressed that sheep and goats play a critical role in supporting women, youth, and vulnerable rural households, serving as accessible sources of income, nutrition, and economic resilience.
“Controlling and ultimately eradicating PPR is not only a veterinary necessity but an economic, social, and developmental priority for Nigeria,” the Minister said.
According to him, successful eradication of the disease will contribute significantly to economic diversification, poverty reduction, empowerment of women and youth, and the expansion of regional and global livestock trade.
While formally inaugurating the TWG, Maiha charged members to discharge their responsibilities with commitment and professionalism, assuring them of the Ministry’s full policy support and institutional backing.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, described the TWG as a vital institutional platform for turning policy decisions into concrete action. She emphasized that the group would help ensure Nigeria’s PPR control efforts are technically robust, well-coordinated, and sustainable.
Represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), Dr. Samuel Anzaku, the Permanent Secretary outlined the group’s core responsibilities.
These include providing technical oversight on PPR prevention, control, and eradication; supporting the development and implementation of the National PPR Control and Eradication Roadmap; strengthening surveillance, vaccination, diagnostics, and data management systems; and promoting effective collaboration among federal and state governments, research institutions, the private sector, and development partners.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Animal Health and Reproductive Services, Dr. Michael Alao Mitchell, described the inauguration as a major milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s animal health systems and curb a disease that continues to threaten the livestock sector and rural livelihoods.
The event drew a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of research institutions, veterinary hospitals, development partners, livestock farmers, private sector operators, and other key actors in the livestock value chain.