NIGERIA – Kogi Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is currently vaccinating livestock throughout the state, a move that has seen over 200,000 animals vaccinated so far.

This initiative is in collaboration with the State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).

During a recent visit to a vaccination site in Lokoja, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, the State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, provided details about the vaccination campaign. 

He announced that a total of 540,000 doses of anthrax spore vaccines have been allocated for the immunization of cattle, sheep, and goats.

Dr. Bolarin stated, “This vaccination campaign is crucial for preventing the spread of anthrax and ensuring the overall health of livestock in Kogi State.” 

The vaccination drive, which commenced on October 14, is set to run until November 8. 

Livestock farmers across the state are urged to bring their animals in for vaccination to achieve thorough coverage and maximize the campaign’s effectiveness.

Livestock farming plays a significant role in Nigeria’s economy, contributing 5% to the national GDP and accounting for 17% of agricultural GDP. 

As of 2017, Nigeria’s livestock population included approximately 18.4 million cattle, 43.4 million sheep, 76 million goats, and 180 million poultry. 

In Nigeria, livestock is primarily managed under low-cost and low-input systems, with commercial livestock operations more prevalent in the southern regions compared to the north.

This vaccination initiative aligns with efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s meat production capabilities. 

In 2022, the country produced 1.65 million tonnes of meat, a substantial increase from 436,563 tonnes in 1973, with an annual growth rate of 2.90%. 

Projections indicate that meat production will approach 1.6 million metric tons by 2028, growing at an average rate of 0.8%.

However, forecasts suggest a decline in meat consumption in Nigeria in the coming years. 

In 2023, the country consumed approximately 1.4 million metric tons of meat, with estimates indicating this figure could drop to about 1.3 million metric tons by 2028, marking an average annual decrease of 0.7%. 

Beef production is expected to remain stable, hovering around 324,000 metric tons from 2021 to 2026, though demand for beef is anticipated to decline slightly over the next five years.

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