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Nigerian Government, FAO Intensify Efforts to Contain Avian Influenza

by admin on | 2026-10-26 11:38:37

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Nigerian Government, FAO Intensify Efforts to Contain Avian Influenza 

By Maryam Yahya 

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have intensified efforts to contain Avian Influenza through stricter animal movement control, enhanced disease surveillance and improved biosecurity measures across the poultry value chain.

The call was made by the Head of the Department of Animal Health and Reproductive Services and National Programme Coordinator of the Avian Influenza Control Programme at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Mitchell Alao, during a workshop on strengthening the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Alao, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, emphasised that effective animal movement restrictions were critical to preventing infected birds from spreading the disease to unaffected locations.

He identified disease surveillance, risk communication and sustained engagement with stakeholders across the poultry value chain as essential measures for containing outbreaks.

“The idea is to keep the disease in the location where it has occurred. It is basically like covering something with a blanket so that what is covered does not escape,” 

The director also called for stronger institutional capacity and collaboration with security agencies and government institutions, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, state governments and local government authorities, to improve enforcement and regulatory compliance.

He disclosed that the 350,000 USD intervention grant provided by FAO through its Technical Cooperation Programme for Emergencies to support Avian Influenza control in Nigeria was expected to end in April 2027.

In his presentation, FAO Country Team Lead for Livestock in Nigeria, Dr Otto Vianney, revealed that the organisation had developed a digital tool for collecting animal movement data globally to improve the monitoring and tracking of livestock transportation.

Vianney said the workshop was designed to assess the contribution of animal movement to the spread of animal diseases in Nigeria while strengthening public awareness, community education and understanding of preventive measures.

He also highlighted the four pillars of the Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP) Framework: prevention and preparedness; early detection and early response; eradication and recovery; and coordination and communication.

According to him, the framework provides a structured approach to managing animal health emergencies and reducing the impact of disease outbreaks.

Also speaking, the Zonal Commander, North Central, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr David Shehu, said improved control, monitoring and surveillance of poultry transportation were intended to protect the livestock industry rather than restrict trade.

He explained that effective animal movement control would help protect investments, safeguard national food safety, sustain the supply of essential animal products to millions of households and preserve jobs in urban and rural communities.

Shehu identified key priorities for maintaining a productive and profitable poultry sector as strict enforcement of biosecurity measures, proper documentation, regular updating of designated control posts, prevention of illegal animal transportation, promotion of public-private partnerships, technology integration and compliance with existing regulations.

However, he listed porous alternative routes, poor compliance with regulations, inadequate infrastructure and risks associated with the transportation of live animals among the challenges confronting the agency.

A major highlight of the workshop was an inspection visit to the Garuku Toll Gate along the Akwanga Road in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State to assess animal movement procedures and the effectiveness of existing monitoring and control measures.