FG intensifies nationwide rabies vaccination drive
…targets eight high-risk states for 2030 elimination goal
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has intensified its Nationwide Rabies Vaccination Campaign, deploying field teams to eight high-risk States as part of efforts to eliminate the deadly virus across Nigeria by 2030.
The exercise, which took place simultaneously across Bauchi, Cross River, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Lagos, Osun and Plateau States last week, followed the official flag-off by Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development on 29th September 2025.
Leading the Ministry’s delegation to Plateau State, Samuel Anzaku, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to eradicate rabies nationwide. He urged State Governments, veterinary professionals, and communities to work collaboratively to sustain vaccination and awareness efforts.
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“The theme of this year’s commemoration — ‘You, Me, and Community’ — reminds us that rabies elimination cannot be achieved by government efforts alone. It is a shared responsibility and a collective investment in the health and safety of our communities,” Anzaku stated.
Under the Ministry’s One Health framework, a total of 26,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines have been procured for deployment across the eight targeted States.
Plateau State received 3,000 doses, while the University of Jos Veterinary Teaching Hospital got 1,200 doses to support surveillance and vaccination activities.
Sunday Akpa, Plateau State Commissioner for Livestock Development and Joshua Sunday Riti, Bassa LGA Chairman, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the intervention, pledging continued support to sustain the campaign.
Speaking on behalf of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Lami Hannatu Lombin, Director, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, disclosed that Bassa Local Government Area recorded 25 rabies cases in 2025 alone, resulting in 12 deaths, including a family of three who succumbed to dog bites.
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Describing the situation as “deeply tragic,” Lombin emphasised the urgency of strengthening public awareness and routine vaccination to prevent further fatalities. She commended the Ministry for its swift response and assured that the vaccines would be used judiciously to bolster Plateau’s rabies control efforts.
Dignitaries at the Plateau event included Markus Avory, Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock Matters, Gideon Agaldo, Executive Assistant to the Governor (Efficiency Unit), Nicholas Nwankpa, Executive Director, NVRI, Kumtap Yilji Cashmir and Pam Luka, NVMA Plateau Chairman.
Traditional rulers, district, and village heads also attended, pledging their communities’ cooperation.
The delegation later inspected one of the six cold room facilities donated by the Norwegian Refugee Council for vaccine storage in the State.
