Federal Govt Identifies Data Gap In Livestock Disease Control

The federal government has identified lack of reliable data as a major challenge in tackling livestock diseases, particularly Peste des Petits Ruminants, affecting sheep and goats across Nigeria.

This was highlighted at a two-day Global Burden of Animal Diseases meeting held in Abuja, where stakeholders stressed the need for evidence-based planning to improve animal health and productivity.

The chief veterinary officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Anzaku, said the country must prioritise building credible databases to guide interventions and policy decisions.

“This meeting provides an opportunity to evaluate the burden of animal diseases in Nigeria. By establishing reliable databases, we can guide targeted interventions and inform government planning,” he said.

He noted that while field studies would follow, the ongoing national assessment was critical to addressing Peste des Petits Ruminants and other transboundary diseases.

Also, the director of Veterinary Medicine, Dr Patience Tomoh, said the absence of comprehensive baseline data had limited effective response to livestock diseases.

She explained that accurate data on the economic value of small ruminants, disease-related losses, and current spending on disease control is essential for informed decision-making.

According to her, the disease continues to threaten smallholder farmers, food security and livestock trade.

In her presentation, Nigeria Case Study Lead at Lancaster University, Dr. Gemma Chaters, said understanding the full economic and livelihood impact of the disease is key to designing effective control programmes.

“Understanding the full impact of PPR on livelihoods and the economy is essential. The meeting will provide the data needed for evidence-based control programmes and to prioritise areas with the highest disease burden,” she said.