Nigerian Veterinarians Aim to Boost National GDP by N420 Billion

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has announced its ambitious plan to contribute N420 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) through innovative livestock management practices and strategic public-private partnerships.

At the 2024 NVMA Leadership Summit and Investiture Ceremony, Dr Moses Arokoyo, the President of the NVMA, emphasized the significant role veterinarians play in national development, particularly in ensuring food security.

Arokoyo advocated for increased veterinarian employment to ensure livestock welfare and urged the government to reconsider its decision to de-fund the Veterinary Council of Nigeria.

He stressed the importance of mass livestock vaccination to prevent economically devastating outbreaks and the deployment of veterinarians across local government areas to bolster disease surveillance and intervention.

The new NVMA President outlined how veterinarians could significantly contribute to the national GDP through innovative livestock management practices and strategic public-private partnerships.

He called for governmental trust and empowerment of the veterinary profession, citing the economic impact of various veterinary interventions in the country.

AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju, the President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, emphasized the imperative role of veterinarians in addressing food insecurity and supporting the country’s livestock reform agenda.

She reiterated the commitment of the Council to repositioning the veterinary profession to align with the nation’s development objectives and ensure sustainable food security for all Nigerians.

In his goodwill message, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer in the ministry, Dr Musa Mohammed Inuwa, commended the veterinarians for their contributions to the national growth, food security, and employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The keynote speaker and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, highlighted the relevance of the veterinary profession in the improvement and protection of animal and human health, animal welfare, food quality, food safety, food security, development of drugs and pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, educators, trainers, policymakers, wildlife conservation, and protection of the environment and biodiversity.

Nigerian veterinarians are taking a proactive step to boost the national GDP by N420 billion through their contributions to food security, public health, and economic development.