FG Partners FAO To Train 240 Animal Health Workers, Strengthen Nigeria’s Response To Avian Influenza
The Federal Government has announced a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s preparedness, detection and response capacity against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza through a $350,000 intervention programme.
The initiative, which will also provide training for 240 animal health personnel across the country, is expected to improve disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostic systems, risk communication and emergency response mechanisms within Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday night following the inauguration of the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme Project on Strengthening Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Preparedness, Detection and Response in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the intervention is designed to support the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve animal disease management and strengthen collaboration among critical stakeholders under the One Health framework.
The One Health framework promotes collaboration between human health, animal health and environmental sectors to effectively tackle disease outbreaks and public health threats.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who spoke during the inauguration ceremony, described the poultry industry as a major contributor to Nigeria’s food security, employment and economic development.
However, he expressed concern over the persistent threat posed by transboundary animal diseases, particularly Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
“The poultry industry remains a critical component of Nigeria’s livestock sector. However, it continues to face threats from transboundary animal diseases, particularly Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which has remained a recurring challenge since its first occurrence in Nigeria in 2006,” Maiha said.
The minister noted that despite several interventions and control measures introduced over the years, the disease has continued to resurface in different parts of the country.
According to him, the resurgence of avian influenza since 2021 has significantly affected poultry farmers across small-, medium- and large-scale operations.
He warned that the disease threatens livelihoods, food production, economic stability and Nigeria’s participation in international poultry trade.
“We are concerned because of the destructive effect of avian influenza in Nigeria. It is threatening livelihoods, threatening food security, and threatening international trade. We must work together to restore livelihoods, close gaps in poultry product supply, and reconnect our poultry industry to international markets,” the minister stated.
Maiha commended the Food and Agriculture Organization for approving and funding the intervention project, describing it as timely and aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening disease prevention and control systems in the livestock sector.
The statement also quoted the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, who was represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Anzaku, as expressing concern over the changing pattern of avian influenza outbreaks in the country.
According to her, Nigeria continues to record annual outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza despite progress achieved in disease monitoring and response efforts.
“The epidemiology of the disease has evolved, with outbreaks now affecting multiple avian species. Layer farms remain the most severely impacted segment, resulting in substantial economic losses and disruptions across poultry value chains,” she said.
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly warned that recurring outbreaks of bird flu could weaken investor confidence in the poultry industry while increasing food prices and reducing protein availability for millions of Nigerians.
The FAO representative, Dr Otto Muhinda, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in combating transboundary animal diseases and building a resilient poultry sector capable of withstanding future outbreaks.
“FAO is proud to partner with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and other stakeholders in building a more resilient poultry sector. Through this project, we aim to enhance Nigeria’s capacity for early detection, preparedness, and rapid response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, thereby protecting livelihoods, food security, and public health,” Muhinda said.
He disclosed that the project would run for nine months and would focus heavily on capacity building and technical preparedness.
According to him, 240 animal health personnel would receive specialized training under the programme to strengthen Nigeria’s frontline response against disease outbreaks.
“Over the next nine months, the project will train 240 animal health personnel, contributing to a stronger frontline workforce capable of preventing and responding to disease outbreaks. It will also support the development of predictive tools to improve preparedness and reduce future risks of HPAI in Nigeria,” he added.
The statement noted that representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Ministry of Environment attended the inauguration and stressed the importance of collaboration in managing disease outbreaks.
The ministry further revealed that Nigeria recorded confirmed outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Plateau and Bauchi states in 2026.
Officials warned that the outbreaks continue to pose significant threats to food security, rural livelihoods and the stability of the poultry industry.
According to the statement, the FAO-supported intervention would be implemented across seven pilot states where efforts would focus on strengthening surveillance systems, improving laboratory diagnostic capacity, enhancing farm biosecurity measures, promoting public awareness and improving rapid response mechanisms.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious viral disease caused by influenza A virus strains that primarily affect domestic and wild birds.
While the disease mainly spreads among birds, certain strains such as H5N1 can occasionally infect humans and other mammals through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
Health experts have continued to emphasize the need for stronger monitoring systems and coordinated responses to minimize the risk of outbreaks spreading across animal and human populations.
