The Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat livestock diseases, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening animal health systems and boosting food security across Nigeria.
This renewed push was underscored on Monday when the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, received a delegation from Ambuvets Konsult Nigeria and its Moroccan partner, MCI Santé Animale, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement on Monday, 20th April, 2026, by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Department.
The engagement comes amid growing concerns over the impact of preventable diseases such as Peste des Petits Ruminants, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, which continue to reduce productivity, cut farmer incomes, and threaten agricultural resilience nationwide.
Speaking during the meeting, Maiha described animal health as central to Nigeria’s economic stability and public health, stressing that disease prevention and control remain key pillars of the government’s livestock transformation agenda.
“We are undertaking an ambitious transformation of the livestock sector, where disease prevention, control, and management are central,” he said, noting that partnerships such as the Ambuvets–MCI collaboration would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to tackle zoonotic and transboundary diseases.
He added that while the partnership is privately driven, the government will continue to provide an enabling environment for innovation, research, and development to deliver measurable impact across the sector.
Chief Executive Officer of Ambuvets Konsult, Shehu Shamsudeen, said the partnership aims to bridge longstanding gaps in vaccine availability.
He explained that MCI Santé Animale would provide manufacturing expertise, while Ambuvets would leverage its nationwide distribution network to ensure vaccines reach farms, especially smallholder producers.
Also speaking, MCI’s CEO, Tadlaoui Omari Khalid, emphasised the need for Africa-driven solutions to livestock health challenges. He noted that Nigeria has been identified as a priority market under the company’s Africa strategy, with ongoing investments in regulatory approvals, awareness, and last-mile delivery systems.
Khalid disclosed that several veterinary vaccines have already been registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, including Ovivax PPR, Bovivax CBPP, LYOPOX, and Avivax ND-I2, among others.
He said the vaccines are developed using strains endemic to Nigeria, ensuring their effectiveness in addressing local disease burdens.
The initiative is further supported by collaboration with the National Veterinary Research Institute for trials and validation under local conditions, with discussions ongoing on expanding into local manufacturing and deeper research partnerships.
The move signals Nigeria’s determination to build a resilient livestock sector capable of supporting farmers, improving food supply, and contributing to broader economic growth.