The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar-Maiha, says the federal government is committed to eliminating Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Nigeria.

He spoke on Thursday in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State while declaring open a two-day inception workshop for the FAO-TCP Project on Strengthening HPAI Preparedness, Detection and Response in Nigeria.

FAO-TCP stands for the Food and Agriculture Organisation Technical Cooperation Programme.

The minister assured participants that the workshop’s outcomes would be fully implemented to ensure eradication of the disease.

He commended FAO for approving and funding the project with $350,000, noting that the intervention aligns with the federal government’s commitment to strengthening disease prevention and control in the livestock sector.

“We have a long-standing collaboration with FAO in advancing livestock development, improving animal health, and enhancing national capacity to prevent and respond to animal disease threats,” Mr Maiha said.

According to Mr Mukhtar-Maiha, Nigeria has experienced successive HPAI outbreaks since 2021, affecting poultry farms across all geopolitical zones.

“Major poultry-producing states such as Kano, Plateau, Ogun and several others have been affected.

“These recurring outbreaks have caused substantial economic losses, disrupted the poultry value chain, led to loss of livelihoods, and heightened concerns about animal and public health,” he said.

The minister described HPAI as one of the most significant transboundary animal diseases affecting poultry production globally.

“The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development recognises that effective prevention and control of HPAI require strong surveillance systems, efficient laboratory networks, timely disease reporting, well-coordinated emergency response mechanisms, effective risk communication, and close collaboration among all stakeholders,” he said.

He urged participants to engage actively, share experiences, identify potential challenges, and propose practical solutions to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the project.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chinyere Ijeoma-Akujobi, said the workshop aims to gather input from stakeholders and find solutions to eliminate avian influenza.

Represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Samuel Anzaku, the permanent secretary said the disease continues to pose a significant challenge to the poultry industry and the national economy.

“Since the resurgence of outbreaks in 2021, Nigeria has recorded cases every year without interruption.

“Outbreaks have been reported in multiple avian species, including layers, broilers, local chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and other domestic birds.

“In this workshop, we will collectively examine the issue of HPAI and what we can do differently to address it,” she added.

She called on poultry farmers, associations, veterinarians, animal health workers, and state veterinary services to support the national surveillance system through timely and transparent reporting of suspected outbreaks.

“Early reporting remains our most effective tool for rapid response, containment, and prevention of disease spread,” she said.

Key stakeholders, including Otto Muhinda, FAO representative; Mathew Adamu, Veterinary Council of Nigeria; Rita Azuka, Deputy Director, Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Environment; and President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Dr Moses Arokoyo, commended the ministry for organising the workshop.

They pledged their support and collaboration to eliminate the disease in the country.

The workshop brought together representatives of federal and state institutions, veterinary services, academia, research bodies, development partners, poultry industry stakeholders, and other relevant actors.

(NAN)