Stakeholders Unite to End Rabies in Nigeria by 2030

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, FMLD, has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to accelerate efforts towards eliminating rabies in Nigeria.

The call was made in Abuja during activities to commemorate the 2026 World Rabies Day, with the theme, “Stronger Together: Ending Rabies in Nigeria.”

Speaking at the event, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and Director, Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, said rabies remains a major public health concern despite being preventable.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator, Rabies Control Programme in Nigeria and Coordinator, National One Health Technical Working Group on Rabies, Dr. George Onyemaokwu, disclosed that Nigeria continues to record cases of rabies across the country, with reports received from between 18 and 20 states in recent months.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, NVMA, FCT Chapter, Dr. Chinnemeka Joe, who represented the National President, Dr. Moses Arokodju, said the Association had commenced mass dog vaccination across rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory.

The stakeholders called on Nigerians to practise responsible dog ownership, ensure that dogs are regularly vaccinated and promptly report all dog-bite incidents to the nearest health or veterinary facility to help achieve Nigeria’s goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.