149
By Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government has inaugurated a 33-member National Technical Working Group (TWG) to coordinate efforts aimed at controlling and ultimately eradicating Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious disease threatening Nigeria’s sheep and goat population.
The TWG was inaugurated on Tuesda, in Abuja by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, as part of renewed efforts to protect livelihoods, strengthen the livestock sector and improve food and nutrition security.
Speaking at the event, Maiha described PPR as “one of the most devastating transboundary animal diseases affecting sheep and goats across endemic regions, including Nigeria,” warning that its impact goes far beyond animal health.
He said the disease poses a serious threat to pastoralists and smallholder farmers, undermines national food and nutrition security, and limits trade in livestock and livestock products.
According to him, small ruminants play a critical role in the survival of women, youth and vulnerable rural households, serving as an important source of income, nutrition and financial resilience.
“For this reason, controlling and ultimately eradicating PPR is not only a veterinary imperative but also an economic, social, and developmental priority for our nation,” Maiha stated.
The minister added that eliminating PPR would support economic diversification, poverty reduction, youth and women empowerment, as well as the expansion of regional and international livestock trade.
While inaugurating the working group, Maiha urged members to carry out their assignment with dedication and professionalism, assuring them of the ministry’s full policy backing and institutional support.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, described the TWG as a vital institutional platform for turning policy decisions into concrete action and ensuring that Nigeria’s PPR control efforts are technically sound, harmonised and sustainable.
Represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), Dr. Samuel Anzaku, she outlined the group’s core responsibilities, including providing technical oversight on PPR prevention, control and eradication; supporting the development and implementation of the National PPR Control and Eradication Roadmap; strengthening surveillance, vaccination, diagnostics and data management; and promoting effective coordination among federal and state institutions, research bodies, the private sector and development partners.
The Head of the Department of Animal Health and Reproductive Services, Dr. Michael Alao Mitchell, said the inauguration marked a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen animal health systems and curb PPR, which continues to threaten the livestock sector and rural livelihoods.
The event drew participants from research institutions, veterinary hospitals, development partners, livestock farmers, the private sector and other key stakeholders.