Nigeria, Russia Deepen Talks on Veterinary Vaccines and Livestock Cooperation

News in Brief:

-Nigeria and Russia are deepening agricultural cooperation to improve veterinary vaccine access and livestock technology.

-The renewed partnership supports Nigeria’s livestock modernisation and aligns with the federal government’s development agenda.

Nigeria and the Russian Federation have taken new steps to enhance cooperation in livestock disease control, vaccine production, and agricultural technology.

The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev, disclosed this in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development at the weekend. Represented by Vladimir Efremov, the Agricultural Attaché at the Russian Embassy, the ambassador reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to help Nigeria close the gap in the supply of quality veterinary vaccines.

Efremov noted that several Russian institutions have decades of expertise in animal health solutions and presented updated product catalogues from Russia’s Animal Health Centre, highlighting opportunities for technical cooperation.

Nigeria’s Participation in Russia’s Premier Agro Forum

Ambassador Podelyshev recalled Nigeria’s participation in the Golden Autumn 2025 Agro-Industrial Exhibition held in Moscow from October 8 to 11, describing it as Russia’s leading agricultural innovation forum.

More than 40 delegates from Nigeria attended the exhibition, which included a visit to the Shchelkovo Biocombinat Vaccine Factory, a century-old institution producing vaccines against brucellosis, rabies, and foot-and-mouth disease.

Efremov demonstrated sample products and highlighted their affordability, cold-chain stability, and suitability for Nigeria’s livestock industry.

Boosting Nigeria’s Livestock Modernisation Agenda

The envoy also informed the ministry about an upcoming diplomatic reception and photo exhibition scheduled for November 25 to commemorate 60 years of Nigeria–Russia relations.

In response, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, welcomed the renewed engagement, describing Russia as a valuable partner with advanced capabilities in animal genetics, vaccine technology, and scientific research.

Maiha emphasised that Nigeria’s livestock sector needs modernisation across genetics, nutrition, animal health, and disease surveillance, key areas in President Bola Tinubu’s livestock development agenda.

Expanding Partnership Opportunities

The minister identified feed and fodder development, disease control, and improved genetics for indigenous breeds as areas where collaboration with Russia would yield significant benefits.

He also expressed readiness to connect Russian manufacturers with the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to advance vaccine production and research collaboration.

According to him, Nigeria’s large market and favourable investment climate create strong opportunities for Russian investors in vaccine manufacturing, livestock pharmaceuticals, ranching, and cold-chain logistics.