The Federal Government has recorded another milestone in its efforts to transform the nation’s livestock sector into a critical driver of food security and economic opportunities, with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art veterinary vaccine cold storage facility in Agege, Lagos.
The facility, which is powered entirely by solar energy and has the capacity to store about forty million doses of veterinary vaccines annually, was delivered under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, L-PRES.
Inaugurating the facility, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve the lives of Nigerians and promote economic prosperity.
Pests and diseases remain major challenges to livestock production, causing farmers significant losses, reducing productivity and, in some cases, affecting the quality and safety of animal products.
Rhe Minister stated that the new vaccine storage facility would strengthen the nation’s capacity to prevent and control animal diseases, describing the project as an important milestone in the Federal Government’s determination to build a modern, productive, resilient and globally competitive livestock sector.
“It is with great pleasure that I join you today to commission this Strategic Veterinary Vaccine Cold Storage Facility here in Lagos—an important milestone in our determination to build a modern, productive, resilient and globally competitive livestock sector.
“Today, we are commissioning much more than a physical structure. We are strengthening Nigeria’s animal health security architecture and investing in the protection of the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who depend on livestock.”
Alhaji Maiha said the intervention would enable the country to shift from mainly responding to disease outbreaks to a more proactive system of prevention.
The Minister noted that the solar-powered nature of the facility would also make its operation more cost-effective and sustainable.
He said the investment forms part of the Federal Government’s broader livestock transformation agenda, being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, with support from the World Bank.
“This state-of-the-art, solar-powered facility, with capacity for storing about forty million doses of veterinary vaccines, will serve as a strategic regional hub for the South-West.
“It will preserve vaccine potency, reduce wastage, improve vaccine availability and accessibility, strengthen disease-control campaigns and ultimately contribute to healthier animals and more prosperous livestock farmers.”
According to the Minister, similar strategic vaccine storage facilities have been established in Abuja, Sokoto, Yola, Edo and Imo States, creating a growing national network for efficient vaccine storage and distribution.
He further noted that the new facilities have been complemented by the major upgrade of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, which is expected to increase Nigeria’s vaccine production capacity from about one hundred and twenty million doses to more than eight hundred and fifty million doses annually.
“Our ambition is clear: Nigeria must progressively attain veterinary vaccine self-sufficiency and position itself as a major vaccine production and supply hub for West Africa and the African continent.
“This is what livestock transformation looks like—stronger institutions, modern infrastructure, healthier animals, empowered producers, improved food security and increased economic opportunities.”
The Minister commended the Lagos State Government, the World Bank, L-PRES and other partners for their contributions towards the delivery of the facility.
He formally declared the Lagos Strategic Veterinary Vaccine Cold Storage Facility commissioned for the service of the livestock industry and the benefit of Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Livestock Development, Mr Tasiu Olawale Raji, commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a foresighted decision to establish the Ministry of Livestock Development.
He expressed optimism that the ministry would continue to grow and contribute to addressing the country’s economic challenges.
On his part, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, said the delivery of the facility would help address longstanding challenges associated with the storage and distribution of veterinary vaccines.
He explained that the facility would serve the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and private-sector operators across the South-West.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr Emmanuel Fatai Audu, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the intervention and appealed for more support for the state’s agricultural sector.
Representatives of various livestock associations, including poultry and pig farmers, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, were also present at the event and expressed appreciation for the government’s intervention.
The Minister later held an interactive session with livestock farmers and other stakeholders, using the opportunity to outline the Federal Government’s vision for the livestock sector and urge operators to embrace higher standards of production, animal health and management.
By Innocent Onoh
