The Federal Government of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the continued circulation of substandard and falsified veterinary drugs in the country, blaming weak regulatory compliance and poorly coordinated importation practices.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, expressed the concern on Friday at a National Stakeholders’ Round-table on the quality and regulation of veterinary medicines held in Abuja.
Mukhtar said inadequate oversight of local manufacturing and distribution channels had created loopholes that allowed poor-quality veterinary products to flood the market, with many livestock farmers unknowingly purchasing ineffective medicines.
According to him, the widespread use of such products often leads to treatment failure, economic losses and avoidable livestock deaths, ultimately undermining productivity and growth in the livestock sector.
The minister noted that livestock production remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda, supporting millions of citizens through income generation, nutrition, employment and livelihood security.
“Our cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry provide essential protein for the population and contribute significantly to rural economies and national GDP,” he said.
Mukhtar stressed that the productivity and long-term sustainability of the sector depend largely on the availability and proper use of safe, effective and quality-assured veterinary drugs.
He identified the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials—such as incorrect dosages, poor storage practices and unsupervised administration—as major drivers of antimicrobial resistance, warning that the trend poses serious risks to animal and human health, food safety and the environment.
“Resistant pathogens do not respect the boundary between animals and humans. This must be addressed collectively and urgently,” the minister warned.
Calling for a stronger and more coordinated regulatory framework, Mukhtar described veterinary drug quality assurance as not just a regulatory obligation, but a national security and public health priority.
He added that the success of disease-control programmes across the country depends heavily on the integrity and effectiveness of veterinary medicines in circulation.
The minister urged stakeholders at the forum to put forward practical and actionable solutions to strengthen regulation, improve licensing and distribution systems, enhance post-market surveillance and curb the proliferation of counterfeit veterinary products.
He also emphasised the need to raise awareness among livestock owners, many of whom rely on informal drug vendors due to limited access to qualified veterinary professionals.
Mukhtar reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Livestock Development to working closely with relevant stakeholders to build a transparent, accountable and efficient veterinary drug system that guarantees farmers access to safe, affordable and effective medicines.
Post a Comment