Nigeria Commissions First Border Animal Holding Facility to Strengthen Livestock Biosecurity
Nigeria Commissions First Border Animal Holding Facility to Strengthen Livestock Biosecurity
Nigeria Commissions First Border Animal Holding Facility to Strengthen Livestock Biosecurity
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has commissioned the country’s first Border Animal Holding Facility at the Mfum Border in Cross River State, marking a major step towards strengthening livestock biosecurity and protecting animal health.
The facility, funded under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), was inaugurated by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, who described the project as a practical demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Representing the Comptroller-General of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Quarantine, Declan Ohiagu, said the facility would significantly improve the agency’s capacity to inspect, quarantine, document and certify livestock entering the country.
He explained that the facility would play a critical role in preventing the introduction and spread of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs), while promoting safer livestock movement and trade across Nigeria’s borders.
The Minister disclosed that the Mfum facility is the first of 12 international border animal holding and quarantine centres planned for strategic livestock entry corridors across the country.
According to the National Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, the facility is equipped with modern infrastructure, including animal holding pens, a solar-powered water supply system, spray race, cattle dip, cattle crush, office accommodation and training facilities.
The establishment of the facility is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s frontline animal health surveillance system and improve the country’s ability to monitor livestock entering through international borders.
Beyond disease prevention, the initiative is expected to support safer livestock trade, protect farmers and consumers, improve animal health standards and contribute to national food security.
The commissioning therefore represents an important milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to build a more resilient, modern and sustainable livestock sector capable of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and economic development.
Nigeria Commissions First Border Animal Holding Facility to Strengthen Livestock Biosecurity
