The Food and Agriculture Organization has committed $350,000 as an emergency intervention fund to assist Nigeria in combating a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreak affecting 11 states across the country.

Announced in Abuja, the technical support programme aims to enhance animal health systems, strengthen disease surveillance, and establish a livestock donor working group tasked with developing a national feed and fodder strategy.

The funding agreement was reached during a strategic meeting between Idi Mukhtar Maiha and Hussein Gadain.

Maiha emphasized that robust disease control systems are crucial for boosting livestock productivity and protecting investments in the sector. He added that collaboration with the FAO would safeguard livestock assets while supporting broader reforms to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry into a more productive and resilient sector.

The meeting also reviewed Nigeria’s progress in addressing Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats that has long limited small ruminant production in Africa.

As part of the strategy, the Ministry will work with the National Veterinary Research Institute to evaluate domestic vaccine production capacity and explore additional procurement options to fill supply gaps. Officials also discussed accessing financing from the Pandemic Fund through the One Health framework, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health, to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Stakeholders noted that improved disease surveillance, stronger veterinary services, and coordinated donor support are essential to stabilizing livestock production and increasing investor confidence in Nigeria’s rapidly growing livestock sector.

The meeting concluded with plans to establish a livestock donor working group to coordinate development partner support and develop a national feed and fodder strategy aimed at improving productivity and sustainability across the industry.