The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine (GALVmed), has inaugurated the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) on Newcastle Disease, and development of National Strategy Document, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen poultry health, enhance food security, and improve the livelihoods of poultry farmers nationwide.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, who disclosed this in Abuja today on Tuesday August 4th, 2026, described the inauguration as the first coordinated national effort to tackle Newcastle disease through a structured and evidence-based approach.
Represented by the Director Project Coordination Unit, Dr Adedoyin Adeniyi Mni, the Permanent Secretary noted that, Newcastle disease remains one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting poultry in Nigeria, causing significant economic losses, threatening food security, reducing farmers’ incomes, and undermining the growth of the poultry industry.
She explained that, the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group (TWG), would develop a comprehensive National Newcastle Disease Strategic Plan that would provide a clear roadmap for prevention, surveillance, vaccination, biosecurity, rapid response, and eventual control of the disease across the country.
“According to her, previous disease control efforts lacked coordination due to the absence of a national strategic framework, resulting in duplication of interventions and inefficient use of resources”.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that , Newcastle disease is a transboundary animal disease, not zoonotic, while stressing the need for strengthened cross-border collaboration, improved surveillance systems, enhanced veterinary services, and better coordination among Federal and State governments, development partners, and the private sector.
While highlighting the strategic advantage of Nigeria producing Newcastle disease vaccines locally, through the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), the Permanent Secretary explained that, the strategic plan would also prioritize training of last-mile vaccine delivery personnel, capacity building for poultry farmers on disease detection and reporting, and promotion of biosecurity practices.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening animal disease control through improved funding, enhanced veterinary service delivery, and sustained collaboration with partners including ECOWAS, AU- IBAR, NEPAD, FAO, and other international organizations.
While inaugurating the National Technical Working Group, Dr Akujobi charged them to develop a practical, evidence-based, and implementable National Strategic Plan, capable of significantly reducing the burden of Newcastle disease in Nigeria.
In his earlier welcome address, Director and Head of Department (HOD), Animal Health and Reproductive Services, Dr Mitchell Alao, described the workshop as a landmark event in Nigeria’s animal health sector.
“The Strategic Plan we set out to develop, would serve as the framework within which government, development partners, research institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders can harmonise their interventions, direct scarce resources to where they matter most, and measure our collective progress against clear and shared targets” Dr Alao stated.
In his paper presentation titled ” The Control of Newcastle Disease in Village Chickens in Nigeria, current Status, Challenges and the way forward”, the Chief Veterinary Officer and National Programme Coordinator for African Swine Fever, Dr Yakubu Yanet Ago, highlighted the critical role of village poultry in enhancing food security, improving household nutrition and reducing poverty, particularly among rural women and vulnerable households.
Dr Ago disclosed that, Nigeria has an estimated 640 million poultry population, while noting that village chickens remain an important source of income and affordable animal protein for millions of Nigerians.
Goodwill messages were delivered by An Associate Director, Outreach and Partnership, Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine (GALVmed), Edith Moroti, the National Vice President South West Zone of the Nigerian Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologist (NAAHHT), Prince Oyewumi Oyetunde, Representative of the National Veterinary Research institute (NVRI), Dr Olayinka Asla, and President of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, (NVMA) Dr Moses Arokoyo, who pledged continuous support to ensure eradication of the Newcastle Disease in Nigeria.
Participants were drawn from government institutions, Ikore International Limited, ABUVETS,Private sector, Research Institutes, Development partners and among others.
Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations
4th August, 2026.
