The Federal Government has intensified efforts to protect public health and Nigeria’s livestock industry through enhanced regulations on animal imports, according to recent statements from government officials.
Speaking during a meeting with the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) delegation in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced that animals entering the country without proper health certification will be detained.
The Minister expressed particular concern over the alarming decline in Nigeria’s donkey population, stating that the export of donkey skin without legal authorization would not be tolerated. He also highlighted the significant challenge posed by the influx of unchecked livestock from neighboring countries.
“Approximately 60 percent of cattle entering Nigeria come from neighboring nations without undergoing proper health inspections,” Maiha revealed. “I’ve personally witnessed over 10,000 animals crossing into Nigeria within a single week. The initial cases of anthrax in Nigeria were traced back to these unchecked livestock movements across our borders. This situation requires immediate attention.”
To address these challenges, the government plans to establish control posts at strategic border locations to regulate livestock movement. These posts will be staffed by NAQS officials, veterinary doctors, and security personnel to ensure comprehensive monitoring of animal imports.
The initiative comes as part of broader efforts to safeguard both public health and Nigeria’s livestock industry from disease outbreaks and economic losses associated with unregulated animal imports.
