FG Urges Stronger Regional Cooperation to Tackle Transboundary Animal Diseases

News in brief:

-Nigeria called for stronger West African collaboration to tackle PPR and other transboundary animal diseases that threaten food security and livelihoods.

-The Ministry of Livestock Development emphasised predictive, analytics-driven surveillance and deeper regional partnerships under the Pan-African PPR Eradication Programme.

The federal government of Nigeria has urged West African nations to strengthen collaborative action against transboundary animal diseases, particularly Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), which continues to undermine livestock productivity, household livelihoods, and regional food security.

The call was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, in Abuja on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, during the opening of the Regional Training on Strengthening Capacities for PPR and Other Transboundary Animal Diseases.

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Pan-African PPR Eradication

Akujobi emphasised Nigeria’s ongoing efforts under the Pan-African PPR Eradication Programme. She highlighted several national initiatives such as strengthening the National Animal Disease Information System, improving laboratory–field collaboration under the One Health framework, and deepening partnerships with ECOWAS-RAHC, AU-IBAR, FAO, and WOAH.

She also noted that hosting the regional training demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to driving regional capacity development and contributing meaningfully to West Africa’s animal health systems.

Need for Predictive and Data-Driven Surveillance

The Permanent Secretary warned that frequent outbreaks in rural communities continue to weaken resilience and delay regional livestock transformation goals. According to her, Africa must transition from 'reactive responses' to predictive, risk-based, and analytics-driven surveillance if it hopes to meet the global target of eradicating PPR by 2030.

West Africa remains vulnerable to multiple transboundary and zoonotic diseases—including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF), Anthrax, and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

Dr Akujobi urged stronger collaboration among veterinarians, laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, border authorities, wildlife experts, and pastoralist communities, stressing that each group plays a critical role in disease prevention and control.

FAO Reaffirms Support for Regional Disease Eradication Efforts

In his remarks, the FAO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Tofeek Braimah, described PPR as a highly contagious viral disease with severe consequences for food security and rural livelihoods.

He reiterated that the global commitment to eradicate PPR by 2030 is achievable through robust partnerships and sustained regional cooperation.

Participants at the training were drawn from various West African countries, reflecting a shared regional resolve to strengthen livestock disease surveillance, improve coordinated responses, and protect the livelihoods of millions who depend on small ruminants.