By Atoyebi Nike
The University of Abuja has flagged off a free rabies vaccination campaign targeting at least 500 dogs and cats as part of activities marking the 2025 World Rabies Day.
The Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Enem Ikechukwu, said the initiative underscores this year’s theme, “Action Now: You, Me, Community,” which calls for collective action to eliminate rabies by 2030.
“Rabies causes over 59,000 deaths globally each year, mostly in developing countries like Nigeria. Mass vaccination of pets is the surest way to end this deadly disease,” he said.
The one-week exercise will run at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and outreach centres in Gwagwalada and nearby communities, supported by over 200 government-supplied doses.
Prof. Onakpa Michael Monday, Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, noted that with each vaccine costing about ₦6,000, the free campaign saves pet owners thousands of naira. “Rabies is 100% preventable through vaccination. Bringing in your pets protects both families and communities,” he said.
Experts stressed that Nigeria still records an estimated 10,000 human rabies cases annually, mostly from dog bites, and urged stronger collaboration under a One Health approach to stamp out the disease.
Marking the global event on September 28, the University of Abuja re-echoed the call: “By 2030, Nigeria must achieve zero rabies.”
