By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has intensified efforts to contain avian influenza in Nigeria through stricter animal movement control, enhanced surveillance and improved biosecurity measures.
The government also called for stronger collaboration among relevant agencies and stakeholders across the poultry value chain to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the livestock industry.
The Head of the Department of Animal Health and Reproductive Services and National Programme Coordinator of the Avian Influenza Control Programme at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Mitchell Alao, made the call at a workshop on strengthening the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) in Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Alao, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, said the NAQS had a critical role in restricting the movement of animals during outbreaks to prevent infected birds from transmitting the disease to unaffected areas.
According to a statement by Ogochukwu Igboamalu for the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Department, he identified disease surveillance, effective risk communication and sustained engagement with stakeholders as essential measures for containing outbreaks.
“The idea is to keep the disease in the location where it has occurred. It is basically like covering something with a blanket so that what is covered does not escape. The Quarantine Service is there to ensure that affected birds are not moved out of locations where an outbreak has occurred,” he said.
Alao stressed the need to strengthen institutional capacity and cooperation with security agencies and government institutions, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police Force, state governments and local government authorities.
He said such partnerships would improve enforcement, promote compliance with regulations and support a coordinated national response to avian influenza outbreaks.
The director disclosed that the $350,000 intervention grant provided by FAO through its Technical Cooperation Programme for Emergencies to support avian influenza control in Nigeria was expected to end in April 2027.
Also speaking, the FAO Country Team Lead for Livestock in Nigeria, Dr. Otto Vianney, said the organisation had developed a digital tool for collecting global animal movement data to improve monitoring and tracking.
Vianney explained that the workshop was designed to assess the contribution of animal movement to the spread of animal diseases in Nigeria while strengthening public awareness, community education and understanding of preventive measures.
He outlined the four pillars of the Good Emergency Management Practices framework as prevention and preparedness; early detection and early response; eradication and recovery; and coordination and communication.
According to him, the framework provides a structured approach to managing animal health emergencies and reducing the impact of disease outbreaks.
The Zonal Commander, North Central, of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr. David Shehu, said stronger monitoring and surveillance of poultry transportation were aimed at protecting investments, ensuring food safety, maintaining supplies of essential animal products and preserving jobs.
He stressed that the measures were not intended to restrict trade but to safeguard the poultry industry and protect the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
Shehu identified key priorities as strict enforcement of biosecurity measures during animal movement, proper documentation, regular updating of designated control posts, prevention of illegal transportation, promotion of public-private partnerships, technology integration and compliance with existing regulations.
He, however, identified porous alternative routes, poor compliance, inadequate infrastructure and risks associated with transporting live animals as major challenges confronting the agency.
As part of the workshop, participants inspected the Garuku Toll Gate along the Akwanga Road in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State to assess animal movement procedures and the effectiveness of existing monitoring and control measures.
During the exercise, NAQS officers inspected three vehicles transporting livestock. The first vehicle carried nine cattle from Lafia, while the second conveyed a mixed consignment of cattle, goats, sheep and poultry. Temperatures of 35.9°C and 34.7°C were recorded during the inspection.
The third truck transported 35 cattle from Adamawa State to Warri, Delta State, with a valid animal movement permit.
Following the inspection, Vianney urged NAQS officers to be more proactive in carrying out their responsibilities, stressing that effective monitoring, surveillance and control of animal movement were essential to preventing transboundary animal diseases and protecting Nigeria's livestock industry.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reiterated the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, security institutions, livestock farmers, transporters and other stakeholders to strengthen animal disease prevention and control systems.
The ministry said the efforts were aimed at safeguarding livelihoods and promoting a resilient and productive livestock sector in line with the Federal Government's commitment to transforming Nigeria's livestock industry.