The Federal Government has pledged to work with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), and other stakeholders to curb unwholesome practices in the poultry and livestock sector.
The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), Dr Samuel Anzaku, made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja at a three-day training and retreat organised by the VCN for its staff, themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Role of the VCN.”
Anzaku expressed concern over rising illicit practices in the sector, including the activities of quacks and some day-old chick producers and hatcheries who short-change farmers. He said tackling the problem required strong collaboration between the Federal Government and the VCN as the regulatory body.
He added that other stakeholders such as the NVMA, state directors of veterinary services and private sector players must also be involved, noting that collective action would help curb malpractices.
Anzaku said the training would equip VCN staff with the knowledge needed to improve service delivery, stressing that ignorance of duties could hinder efficiency in public service.
Also speaking, the Acting Registrar of the VCN, Dr Oladotun Fadipe, said the training was organised to align the council with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He disclosed that despite not receiving federal funding for two years, the council developed a strategic plan in 2025 to guide its operations.
A Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Specialist with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Prof. Folorunso Fasina, described Nigerian veterinarians as among the best trained in Africa but noted that regulatory gaps limited their opportunities abroad.
She called for the collective implementation of legislation to address unwholesome practices in veterinary service delivery nationwide.
