Agriculture
Veterinary Association Holds Summit on Efficient Service Delivery
As part of efforts to find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria’s livestock sub-sector, veterinarians from across the country are currently in Abuja for a two-day summit.
Speaking at the opening of the summit in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr.
Mr. Mohammed reminded participants that this responsibility rests squarely on their shoulders as professionals, stressing that the success of livestock development initiatives depends largely on their expertise and commitment.
According to Mr Mohammed , the Tinubu administration created a separate Ministry of Livestock Development to mitigate the effects of climate change, rising temperatures, desertification, changing rainfall patterns, flooding, and increased competition over natural resources, factors that are significantly altering livestock production systems.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that the Federal Government has set an achievable target of increasing the livestock sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product from the current 32 billion dollars to 74 billion dollars by the year 2035.
He maintained that this target cannot be achieved if the country continues to lose animals to preventable diseases and inefficient production systems.
Mr. Mohammed assured that the Federal Government will continue to collaborate closely with professional bodies to ensure that public policies are guided by expert knowledge and aligned with global best practices.
In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, and the organiser of the summit, Dr. Moses Arokoyo, said the annual summit is deliberately structured to promote diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, while ensuring that women and young professionals from all regions are empowered to contribute meaningfully to national animal health outcomes.
Dr. Arokoyo expressed optimism that the outcome of the two-day summit would strengthen livestock systems, not only in Nigeria but globally.
He noted that disease burden, weak service delivery systems, climate pressures, insecurity, and inequitable access to veterinary services continue to limit the sector’s full potential.
Stakeholders in the livestock sub-sector, including the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, in their separate goodwill messages, emphasized the need for veterinary professionals to work together to complement the Federal Government’s drive for sustainable livestock development.