The federal government has launched the 2025 National Mass Anti-Rabies Vaccination Campaign, reaffirming its commitment to eliminating the disease in Nigeria by the year 2030.
The campaign was officially flagged off on Monday, September 29, at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, as part of activities marking this year’s World Rabies Day.
The event drew dignitaries, top government officials, development partners, veterinary experts, and members of the media.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stressed that this year’s theme, “You, Me and the Community”, highlights the collective responsibility needed to eradicate rabies.
DON'T MISS
He applauded the efforts of the One Health Ministries—Livestock Development, Health and Social Welfare, and Environment—which in 2022 jointly listed rabies as one of Nigeria’s seven priority zoonotic diseases.
Maiha commended state veterinary services, private veterinarians, academia, researchers, community leaders, and international partners for their sustained contributions. He emphasized that eliminating rabies requires broad-based community participation.
“Government cannot achieve this alone. It calls for the active involvement of policy makers, veterinarians, dog owners, hunters, teachers, parents, and indeed, every member of the community.”
The Minister expressed concern over the global burden of rabies, which remains highest in Africa and Asia, where thousands of deaths are recorded annually most of them children under 15 years.
He described the disease as a preventable but recurring tragedy for families.
Reiterating government’s commitment to the global target of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, Maiha announced the immediate deployment of 26,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines.
The vaccines will be prioritized for states with the highest reported cases in the past six months Lagos, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Kano, Osun, and the FCT.
In addition, vaccines will be distributed to 11 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and three Federal Colleges of Animal Health and Production Technology nationwide. The Ministry will also introduce digital tools to capture real-time data on vaccinated dogs and cats.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Stephen Ohaeri, described this year’s commemoration as a call to action for citizens, communities, and government. She lauded the dedication of partners and frontline workers and urged continued collaboration to consign rabies to history.
The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Muhammed Inuwa, represented by Dr. Samuel Anzaku, welcomed participants and expressed optimism that the campaign would drive real impact. Similarly, the National Project Coordinator for L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, pledged partnership with the Ministry to expand vaccination coverage nationwide.
Goodwill messages also came from stakeholders, including the FCT Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Idris Ademoh, and Dr. Bala Mohammed of Blue Blood Veterinary Services, both of whom reaffirmed their support for scaling up vaccination campaigns and strengthening Nigeria’s fight against rabies.
