Neglect of veterinary practice could worsen food insecurity, public health – Professionals

As Nigeria Joins its counterparts to mark the World Veterinary Day, which is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of April, Nigeria’s Veterinary Professionals have issued a stark warning which claims that the continued neglect of the sector, could undermine national food security and public health systems,

The Veterinary Day for 2026 falls on April April 25, under the global theme “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health,” the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), said weak investment, poor data systems and fragmented institutions are leaving Nigeria exposed to disease outbreaks and food safety risks.

Moses Arokoyo, National President NVMA, said veterinary services remain central to Nigeria’s food value chain and disease prevention architecture but are still underfunded and underrepresented in national planning.

He warned that the gap is widening at a time when zoonotic diseases, climate pressures and antimicrobial resistance are intensifying risks across human and animal populations.

The Association stressed that Nigeria’s shift toward a “One Health framework” makes veterinary services a frontline national security function rather than a supporting role.

It noted that veterinarians are critical to outbreak containment, vaccination programmes, food inspection and surveillance systems needed to prevent future pandemics.

A major concern flagged by the NVMA is the absence of credible livestock data, with the Association calling for an urgent national livestock census to unlock economic value and improve policy decisions.

It warned that poor documentation of interventions such as vaccination coverage and outbreak responses continues to weaken the sector’s visibility and funding prospects.

The NVMA also raised concerns over institutional fragmentation, noting that siloed operations across agriculture, health and environmental systems are limiting Nigeria’s ability to respond effectively to emerging threats.

It, however, called for full integration of veterinary services into emergency operations centres and national health coordination frameworks.

While acknowledging advances in digital diagnostics, genomic surveillance and telemedicine, the Association warned that weak regulation is fuelling quackery and misuse of veterinary drugs, particularly antibiotics, which could accelerate antimicrobial resistance.

The body urged the Federal Government to fully implement the National Veterinary Policy, strengthen staffing at State and Local levels and increase funding for vaccination, abattoir infrastructure and disease surveillance.

It maintains that without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks avoidable disease outbreaks, economic losses and deeper food insecurity, positioning veterinary services as a critical but overlooked pillar of national resilience.