Nigeria Steps Up Fight Against Livestock Diseases

"Partnerships like the Ambuvets–MCI collaboration are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s response to zoonotic and transboundary diseases, while also ensuring farmers have improved access to essential vaccines." Maiha 

..... Says "Although the partnership is private sector-driven, the government remains committed to providing an enabling environment, promoting innovation, and supporting research initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes for Nigeria and the wider African region."

The Federal Government has reinforced its resolve to protect Nigeria’s livestock industry and boost food security through a more aggressive approach to animal health and disease control.

As part of this effort, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, on Monday, April 20, 2026, hosted a high-level delegation from Ambuvets Konsult and MCI Santé Animale at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, signalling a renewed push for strategic collaboration.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of persistent, preventable livestock diseases—such as Peste des Petits Ruminants, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia—which continue to weaken productivity, reduce farmers’ incomes, and pose risks to national food systems.

Speaking during the engagement, Maiha underscored the critical role of animal health in Nigeria’s broader economic and public health framework. He noted that the ongoing transformation of the livestock sector places strong emphasis on disease prevention, control, and effective management.

According to him, partnerships like the Ambuvets–MCI collaboration are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s response to zoonotic and transboundary diseases, while also ensuring farmers have improved access to essential vaccines.

The Minister added that although the partnership is private sector-driven, the government remains committed to providing an enabling environment, promoting innovation, and supporting research initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes for Nigeria and the wider African region.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Ambuvets Konsult, Dr. Shehu Shamsudeen, highlighted the company’s collaboration with MCI Santé Animale, a global veterinary pharmaceutical firm, aimed at addressing longstanding gaps in vaccine availability.

He explained that while MCI contributes its manufacturing expertise, Ambuvets will leverage its nationwide distribution network to ensure vaccines reach farms across the country—particularly smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Nigeria’s livestock economy.

MCI Santé Animale also outlined its Africa-focused expansion strategy, identifying Nigeria as a key priority market. The company is advancing regulatory approvals, strengthening local partnerships, and investing in awareness campaigns, capacity development, and last-mile delivery systems to drive large-scale vaccine adoption.

A key component of this initiative is the ongoing collaboration with the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to test and validate vaccine effectiveness under local conditions, alongside plans to explore local manufacturing and deepen research partnerships.

On his part, MCI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tadlaoui Omari Khalid, stressed the importance of developing home-grown solutions to Africa’s livestock health challenges.

He noted that reliance on multinational approaches may not adequately address the continent’s realities, calling instead for stronger collaboration among African stakeholders to deliver practical, context-specific interventions.

Khalid further revealed that the company has made significant progress in product registration in Nigeria—a critical but often complex process—and is committed to expanding access to quality vaccines through strengthened distribution networks.

The delegation also showcased a range of veterinary vaccines already approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), including Ovivax PPR, Bovivax CBPP, LYOPOX, LSD-N, LYOPOX + PPR, Bovivax CBPP + LSD, Bovipast, SYMPTOMUNE, and Avivax ND-I2.

According to the company, these vaccines are developed using strains prevalent in Nigeria, ensuring they are well-suited to tackle local disease challenges effectively and safely.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development Abuja.