****Calls for Disease-Free Zones, Modern Abattoirs Nationwide
By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
The President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Moses Arokoya, has revealed that more than 65 per cent of human diseases in Nigeria are linked to livestock, describing zoonotic infections as a growing national health challenge.
Speaking at the 61st Annual National Congress and AGM of the NVMA held in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Monday, Arokoya noted that zoonotic diseases cause about 2.7 million deaths globally each year, stressing the need for stronger surveillance and control mechanisms.
He said the choice of Taraba for the congress was strategic, as plans were underway to establish a Disease-Free Zone (DFZ) in the Mambilla Plateau, Sardauna Local Government Area. According to him, eradicating animal diseases from the region could boost livestock output and open doors for meat exportation and foreign exchange earnings.
Arokoya advocated for more DFZs across Nigeria to make livestock production a viable economic driver, and decried the poor state of abattoirs nationwide, warning that substandard facilities contribute to antimicrobial resistance and health risks from consuming improperly treated animals.
“Modern abattoirs should be established in all 774 local government areas to curb this menace,” he said.
The NVMA president commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing reforms in the livestock sector but urged the federal government to empower veterinarians to enhance their service delivery.
He also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to include veterinarians in disaster management policies and emergency response plans, noting that animal health professionals play a vital role in national public health security.
The NVMA congress officially commenced on October 25, 2025, in Jalingo.