By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal Government has launched a nationwide training programme for epidemiological and veterinary public health officers to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to manage animal health emergencies.
The initiative, held in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) a World Bank-supported scheme aims to equip officers with the skills needed to prevent, detect, and respond swiftly to animal disease outbreaks.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha emphasized the importance of rapid reporting and coordinated response. “What matters most in animal health is not only thorough investigation but also the promptness of reporting and taking action,” he said.
The training, titled “Good Emergency Management Practices in Animal Disease Response, Prevention and Control for Federal and State Epidemiology Officers in Nigeria,” introduces new technologies to improve surveillance, planning, and reporting.
Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, National Project Coordinator for L-PRES, described the programme as a key step toward building a resilient veterinary public health system. He noted that the framework known as Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP) promotes cross-sector coordination and the One Health approach, linking animal, human, and environmental health.
Abubakar added that many veterinary officers are yet to fully adopt modern emergency management standards, and the training will help bridge that gap by enhancing technical competence and preparedness planning nationwide.
