Lagos Launches Nigeria’s First Veterinary Call Center

News in brief:

-Lagos State introduces TELE-VET, Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Center, to expand access to expert animal healthcare via mobile technology.

-The service enhances emergency response, food safety, and disease surveillance while supporting farmers and pet owners statewide.

The Lagos State Government has recently launched TELE-VET, Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Center, aimed at expanding access to expert animal healthcare and strengthening the state’s agricultural and food safety systems.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, unveiled the initiative at the Lagos State Animal Hospital in Oko-Oba, Agege. She describes it as a transformative step that leverages mobile technology to support farmers and pet owners across the state.

She said the platform reinforces Lagos’ commitment, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to deploying digital solutions that improve efficiency, enhance food safety, and widen access to professional veterinary care, especially for communities with limited access to in-person services.

Strengthening Veterinary Systems and Food Security

According to the Commissioner, TELE-VET builds on Lagos’ existing digital platforms, such as M-Agric and M-Health. It is available on MTN and Glo networks, delivering expert daily tips and animal-care information.

By dialling *20791#, users can subscribe for ₦100 per day, ₦300 per week, or ₦500 per month. All active subscribers can also access TELE-VET’s call centre at no extra charge. Services available include emergency support, first aid guidance, consultations on livestock and pet care, and disease prevention advice.

Olusanya noted that the platform reduces travel costs, saves time, and enables early detection of zoonotic diseases, aligning with the Global One World, One Health framework.

She added that TELE-VET lays the foundation for future innovations such as livestock and pet health insurance, e-commerce for veterinary products, improved animal transport systems, and expanded financing options for farmers.

Strengthening Veterinary Systems and Food Security

Permanent Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Audu, applauded TELE-VET as a major intervention that will significantly improve veterinary service delivery in Lagos. He emphasised that the Ministry has invested in infrastructure, technology, and human resources to ensure the centre operates at world-class standards.

Audu stated that the platform will reduce animal losses, improve farm management, and support timely advisory services across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. He also highlighted the collaboration among veterinary experts, ICT partners, and technical teams that brought the innovation to life.

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to continuous upgrades that will expand TELE-VET’s speed, efficiency, and range of services.

Enhancing Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response

Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Rasheed Macaulay, said TELE-VET ushers in a new era of veterinary care in Lagos by addressing critical challenges such as limited manpower, delayed emergency responses, and difficulty reaching farmers in remote locations.

He explained that the platform connects residents directly to certified veterinary professionals, strengthens disease monitoring, and facilitates faster reporting and escalation of animal health concerns. These capabilities, he noted, will help curb zoonotic infections and promote safer, more resilient food systems throughout the state.