Nigeria, FAO Launch $350,000 Intervention to Combat Bird Flu

News in brief:

-Nigeria and FAO have launched a $350,000 emergency intervention to tackle bird flu across 11 affected states.

-The partnership will strengthen disease surveillance, veterinary capacity, and livestock sector reforms.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations have agreed on a set of measures to strengthen animal health systems, control livestock diseases, and accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

This agreement was reached during a strategic meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the FAO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain.

As part of the collaboration, FAO approved an emergency Technical Cooperation Programme valued at $350,000 to support Nigeria’s response to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

The intervention will target 11 affected states, focusing on disease containment, enhanced surveillance, coordination, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent further spread.

Focus on Strengthening Animal Health Systems

Maiha emphasised that effective disease control is critical to improving livestock productivity and protecting farmers’ livelihoods.

He noted that factors such as drought, feed shortages, wildlife interaction, and cross-border livestock movement have contributed to the spread of animal diseases in parts of the country.

He added that the partnership with FAO would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks and safeguard livestock assets.

FAO Calls for Improved Veterinary Services

Gadain commended the government’s commitment to livestock development and stressed the need to strengthen veterinary services at the state and community levels.

He highlighted the importance of early disease detection systems and the adoption of biosecurity practices among farmers to reduce risks.

Progress on PPR Eradication Efforts

The meeting also reviewed Nigeria’s efforts to eliminate Peste des Petits Ruminants, a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats.

To advance this goal, the ministry plans to convene a national technical meeting involving veterinary experts and researchers to address gaps in vaccine supply and refine eradication strategies.

The National Veterinary Research Institute will also be engaged to assess local vaccine production capacity.

One Health Approach and Future Plans

Both parties agreed to accelerate Nigeria’s access to funding under the Pandemic Fund using a One Health approach, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Plans are also underway for the FAO Director-General to participate in the Antimicrobial Resistance Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Abuja, where Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be recognised as Africa’s champion for PPR eradication.

Additionally, a Livestock Donor Working Group will be inaugurated to coordinate development partner support and advance initiatives such as a national feed and fodder strategy aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the livestock sector.