The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), supported by the World Bank, has trained more than 80 veterinarians, para-veterinarians, and local animal health workers. The training focused on better ways to detect, control, and stop the spread of animal diseases.
Participants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) took part in the training. The program also aimed to raise awareness, manage disease risks, and improve how Nigeria handles animal disease outbreaks.
Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, said in Abuja on Friday that the workshop brought together key animal health workers whose jobs directly affect livestock health and productivity across the country.
Abubakar, represented by Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, the National Animal Health Specialist, said the training supports the main goal of the project—helping farmers improve livestock production and sell their products better.
He also said the training was meant to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to deal with livestock emergencies effectively.
“This training is part of Sub-Component Three of the L-PRES project, which focuses on animal health services,” he explained.
He said this part of the project deals with controlling drug resistance in animals, vaccinating against diseases that cross borders, checking diseases at borders, supporting private vet services, promoting teamwork between human and animal health sectors (One Health), and improving lab testing systems.
He added that the goal of the workshop was to teach participants the latest ways to detect and control diseases, boost lab testing skills, encourage teamwork among professionals, and involve communities more in disease control.
Abubakar thanked the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development for its support and said the training should help participants grow professionally and share knowledge with others.
Dr. Mohammad said each state and the FCT chose one vet and one para-vet to attend the training.
He said the goal was to help them improve their skills in spotting diseases, monitoring outbreaks, preventing problems, and sharing risk information in their local areas.
“We can’t have strong livestock production if animal health is ignored. When animals die or get sick, farmers can’t produce well. That’s why this training is important,” he said.
