Nigeria has announced an ambitious 2030 target to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a devastating livestock disease that continues to undermine small ruminant farming and rural livelihoods across the country.

The Federal Government stated that the plan reflects a renewed national and regional commitment to safeguarding food systems, strengthening disease surveillance, and improving farmers’ income security.

Dr Chinyere Ijeoma-Akujobi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock Development, made the declaration during a Regional Training on Strengthening Animal Disease Surveillance in Abuja. 

She explained that PPR has long restricted trade, reduced livestock productivity, and threatened millions of households that depend on goats and sheep for daily income.

She noted that the strong turnout of experts from across West Africa has shown the region’s collective resolve to confront persistent livestock diseases that impede economic growth and food security.

“This gathering is more than a routine training session. It represents a strategic commitment to building a more resilient animal health system in West Africa, one capable of confronting PPR and other transboundary diseases,” she said.

Dr Ijeoma-Akujobi also praised development partners for supporting ongoing regional efforts to upgrade laboratory capacity, improve surveillance systems, and harmonise disease control strategies.

FAO Country Representative, Tofiq Braimah, highlighted the heavy socioeconomic toll of PPR, but noted thatsignificant progress has been achieved since FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health adopted the global eradication plan in 2015.

He stated that many African Union member-states have conducted mass vaccinations, implemented strategic plans, and strengthened field surveillance.

According to him, countries are at different stages on the PPR eradication pathway, based on the PPR Monitoring and Assessment Tool.

The FAO reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support, coordination, capacity building, and resource mobilisation to accelerate eradication efforts.

The ongoing workshop in Abuja aims to strengthen expertise in participatory and risk-based surveillance, improve regional data collection and analysis procedures, and introduce advanced tools for identifying high-risk zones.

Delegates from Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, and several other West African nations are attending, alongside researchers, development partners, and government representatives.

Stakeholders agree that while the 2030 eradication target is ambitious, it remains achievable through sustained collaboration, technical cooperation, and coordinated action at all levels.

Source: FRCN HQ