The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has begun a free mass vaccination campaign against rabies for dogs and cats in Nasarawa State, targeting the elimination of the disease in Nigeria by 2030.
The week-long exercise was launched on Tuesday in Akun Area Administrative Council by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, represented by Dr Samuel Anzaku, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria.
Akujobi said the campaign is part of the Federal Government’s One Health initiative aimed at preventing zoonotic diseases and protecting both humans and animals.
“Rabies remains one of the deadliest yet most preventable diseases. Our goal is to protect Nigerians and move closer to the global target of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030,” she stated.
She disclosed that the ministry had procured 26,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines for the first phase of the exercise, noting that widespread vaccination is the most effective method of breaking the transmission cycle.
Dr Musa Abdullahi, Director of Veterinary Services at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture, encouraged pet owners to take advantage of the free service.
“It is 100 per cent fatal, but it is also 100 per cent preventable,” Abdullahi said, urging residents to prioritise vaccination for their pets.
Community leaders, including Mr Sule Allu, Aren Agidi, and Chief Adams Nangba, District Head of Wakama, commended the Federal Government and pledged to mobilise residents to ensure full participation.
They also lauded the Tinubu administration’s continued investment in animal health as a key part of public safety.
Dr George Uzoaga, National Coordinator of Rabies Control, and Dr Lawal Ademola, a member of the National Technical Working Team on Rabies Elimination, both called for sustained collaboration between federal, state and community actors.
They emphasised that “teamwork and consistent public awareness” remain vital in achieving the global goal of eliminating human deaths from rabies.
A resident, Mr Sunday Bako, thanked the government for the initiative, saying it would save lives and reduce the spread of rabies across communities.
