FG Commissions Border Livestock Quarantine Facility in Cross River, Plans 11 more

News in Brief 

— The Federal Government has commissioned Nigeria's first Border Animal Holding and Quarantine Facility at Mfum in Cross River State, the pilot of 12 planned border centres meant to check the spread of animal diseases. 

— Officials say the facility will screen, quarantine and certify livestock entering Nigeria, strengthening food security and opening the door to safer cross-border and international livestock trade.

The Federal government has commissioned a Border Animal Holding and Quarantine Facility at Mfum in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State. The facility is the first of 12 planned border centres designed to screen livestock entering the country and stop the spread of animal diseases.

Dr Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, led the commissioning, describing it as a practical step in President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for the livestock sector. 

Ensuring Biosecurity and Disease Surveillance

Dr Maiha disclosed that the Mfum facility, situated near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, is the first of 12 international border animal holding and quarantine centres planned for Nigeria's major livestock entry corridors, with similar facilities expected in states including Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto, Niger and Kebbi. 

He said the facility would ensure that animals crossing into Nigeria are properly received, quarantined, inspected, documented and certified healthy before release. The centres would build a national livestock traceability system, feeding data into disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis and rapid outbreak response, while positioning Nigerian livestock for regional and export markets.

"This will reduce the risk of transboundary animal diseases that threaten livestock production, food security, public health and the national economy," the Minister said.

L-PRES Milestone

According to the authorities, the project was built under the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project. L-PRES is a $500 million, six-year Federal Government/World Bank project (2022–2028) targeting improved livestock productivity, resilience and commercialisation across the value chain.

As of May 2026, L-PRES had reached over 1.4 million Nigerians across 20 states, with over 101,000 farmers adopting improved livestock technologies, according to a mid-term review.

The National Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, while speaking at the commissioning, conveyed that the facility falls under the project's Innovation and Institutional Systems Strengthening component. It supports the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to prevent sick animals from entering the country.

Beyond quarantine duties, Dr Abubakar claimed that the centre would improve disease surveillance, strengthen livestock traceability, support pastoral advisory services through geospatial technology, and promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farming communities. He listed facilities such as a holding pen, solar-powered water supply, spray race, cattle dip, cattle crush, office accommodation and training space.

Cross River, NAQS Support the Project

Representing Governor Bassey Otu, the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, commended the Federal Government for siting the project in the state, calling it a strategic national investment that would boost the local economy, strengthen border security and improve livestock production. He pledged that the state will continue to work with the Ministry of Livestock Development.

The Comptroller-General of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, represented by his Assistant CG, Dr Tekla Ekechukwu, described the facility as a major boost to Nigeria's border biosecurity, while appealing for additional support, including perimeter fencing, reliable electricity, and operational equipment, to help the centre run at full capacity.

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association pledged continued support for disease surveillance and biosecurity work at the facility, including help with veterinary staffing.

Community Backing

Local leaders, including the Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Area and the Paramount Ruler of Etung, Ambassador Anthony Ntui Etta II, thanked the Federal Government for the project. The monarch disclosed that the community released three hectares of land for the facility and offered to provide more land if the project expands, while appealing for local infrastructure support and job opportunities for Etung youths.

The commissioning drew officials from the World Bank, NAQS, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, security agencies, veterinary professionals, traditional rulers and livestock stakeholders. Officials say the facility marks an early step in a wider push to modernise Nigeria's animal health system and open safer channels for livestock trade across its borders.