In its intensified efforts to eradicate rabies in Nigeria, the Federal government, through the Ministry of Livestock Development has deployed teams to eight high-risk states.
This development is sequel to the flag-off of the Nationwide Rabies Vaccination Campaign by the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, in September 2025.
The high-risk states include FCT, Bauchi, Cross River, Gombe, Kano, Lagos, Osun, and Plateau States.
The exercise held on Thursday, 23rd October 2025, according to a statement by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations, marks a renewed national commitment to the global goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.
Abuja Times reports that the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), Dr. Samuel Anzaku, led the Ministry’s delegation to Plateau State, where the official flag-off was held in Bassa Local Government Area that has recorded the highest number of infections in the state.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Anzaku reiterated the FG’s resolve to eliminate rabies nationwide and called for the sustained support of state governments, veterinary institutions, and communities to achieve the target.
“The theme of this year’s commemoration, you, me, and the community, reminds us that rabies elimination cannot be achieved by government efforts alone. It is a shared responsibility and collective investment in the health and safety of our communities,” he stated.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Sunday Akpa, and Bassa LGA Chairman, Dr. Joshua Sunday Riti, thanked the FG for the intervention and pledged full support to sustain the rabies vaccination campaign across the state.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock Matters, Dr. Markus Avory; the Executive Assistant to the Governor, Efficiency Unit, Hon. Gideon Agaldo; the Executive Director of NVRI, Dr. Nicholas Nwankpa; the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (Plateau State), Dr. Kumtap Yilji Cashmir; and the Chairman, NVMA Plateau State, Dr. Pam Luka, including royal fathers, district and village.