Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) continue to threaten livestock productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods across West Africa. Recognizing the urgency, Nigeria has renewed its call for stronger regional cooperation to combat TADs, with a focus on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), which continues to threaten livestock productivity and rural livelihoods across West Africa. The appeal was made during a regional training in Abuja focused on strengthening capacity for PPR and other major livestock diseases.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve preparedness. These include;
- Upgrading the National Animal Disease Information System
- Improving lab–field collaboration under the One Health approach
- Deepening partnerships with ECOWAS RAHC, AU-IBAR, FAO, and WOAH
She noted that hosting the training reflects Nigeria’s commitment to supporting neighbouring countries in building stronger surveillance and response systems.
Akujobi emphasized that other zoonotic and TADs such as foot and mouth disease, African swine fever, anthrax and avian influenza continue to spread across borders, disrupting food security and economic stability. She stressed the need for the region to move from reactive responses to predictive, analytics driven surveillance capable of detecting risks early.
FAO representative Dr. Tofeek Braimah described PPR as a highly contagious disease with severe economic impacts on vulnerable communities. He reaffirmed FAO’s support for African countries and noted that eliminating PPR by 2030 is achievable with strong partnerships and coordinated action. Participants from across West Africa attended the training, underscored the shared responsibility of veterinarians, epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, wildlife experts, border officials and pastoralist communities in preventing and controlling animal diseases. The gathering reinforced the region’s commitment to safeguarding livestock health and strengthening the resilience of Africa’s livestock sector.
