Pic. 12. From left: Lead, National Program for Control of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia Disease Technical Working Group (CBPP-TWG), Dr Abdulkareem Durosinlorun; representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Live Stock Development, Dr Nurrauaha Abubakar; Minister of Live Stock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha; Technical Officer, WHO Country Office Nigeria, Dr Laxmikant Chavan and the National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, during the inauguration of CBPP-TWG by the minister in Abuja on Thursday (9/4/26). 0060/THUR/APRIL/9/4/2026/Hogan Bassey/NAN
By Simeon Shodimu
Nigeria’s Government is currently making frantic efforts at boosting cattle economy, as the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is determined to contain mounting economic risks in Nigeria’s cattle industry with the inauguration of a technical working group to tackle Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP).
the minister of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, said the disease remains endemic and is undermining productivity across a national herd estimated at 54.5 million cattle, one of the largest in Africa.
Industry data shows the scale of the disruption with at least 131 outbreaks have been officially recorded, spanning 17 states and all six geopolitical zones. The ministry noted that these figures likely understate the real burden due to gaps in surveillance and reporting systems.
CBPP from the business angle is tightening margins for livestock producers.
The economic importance of the disease, is that it reduces herd value, weakens meat and dairy output, and raises costs tied to treatment, mortality, and preventive measures. It also constrains Nigeria’s ability to compete in regional and international livestock trade, where animal health standards are critical for market access.
Maiha identified structural inefficiencies driving persistent outbreaks. These include unregulated livestock movement along transhumance routes, low vaccination coverage, and weak early detection systems. Together, they enable repeated transmission cycles and periodic shocks to supply.
The minister warned that without intervention, the disease will continue to generate “sustained economic losses” across the value chain, from pastoralists to processors and traders, while also posing risks to food security and rural incomes.
The newly inaugurated group is expected to function as a high-level technical platform to design a national control framework. Priority areas include strengthening surveillance architecture, scaling vaccination programmes, and modernising diagnostic capacity.
The ministry is also pushing for deeper private sector participation and coordination across federal and state systems.
Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, permanent secretary to the ministry, said the intervention is aimed at stabilising the livestock sector and restoring confidence among producers.
International partners signalled support. Laxmikant Chavan of the World Health Organization called for stronger surveillance integration and alignment with national health frameworks while pledging technical backing.
Also, stakeholders including the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Nigeria Veterinary Association, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and the World Organisation for Animal Health also indicated readiness to collaborate.
Stakeholders say the effectiveness of the intervention will depend on execution. Improved disease control could unlock higher yields, reduce losses, and position Nigeria’s livestock sector for stronger participation in formal markets. Failure, however, would mean continued erosion of value in one of the country’s largest agricultural assets.
