Dr. Moses Arokoya, President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), has revealed that 65 percent of human diseases in Nigeria are zoonotic — that is, transmitted from animals to humans.
Arokoya made the disclosure on Monday during the 61st Annual National Congress and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NVMA, held in Jalingo, Taraba State.
He noted that zoonotic diseases are on the rise across the country, adding that an estimated 2.7 million lives are lost globally each year due to such infections.
According to him, the choice of Taraba State for this year’s conference was strategic, as plans are underway to establish a Disease-Free Zone (DFZ) on the Mambilla Plateau.
“The eradication of animal diseases on the Mambilla Plateau will pave the way for the production of large quantities of fresh meat,” he said, emphasizing the need for more DFZs nationwide to make livestock production an economic stimulus.
Arokoya also decried the poor state of abattoirs in Nigeria, stating that unhygienic facilities contribute to antimicrobial resistance because many animals are treated with drugs that remain in their system before slaughter.
He advocated for the establishment of modern abattoirs in all 774 local government areas to tackle the problem.
The NVMA president commended President Bola Tinubu for his ongoing reforms in the livestock sector but appealed for more empowerment and support for veterinarians from the federal government.
He also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to include veterinarians in its disaster intervention policies, stressing that they play a critical role in emergency preparedness and response strategies.
