FG DECLARES WAR ON RABIES

-Special Report-

Nigeria Declares War on Rabies - A National Call to Action

In a landmark move to combat one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases affecting its population, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared war on rabies, unveiling a comprehensive national strategy aimed at eliminating dog-mediated human deaths by the year 2030.

This declaration was made during the 2025 World Rabies Day commemoration held in Abuja, under the global theme “Act Now: You, Me, Community.”

At the heart of this initiative is the Ministry of Livestock Development, led by Honourable Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha, who emphasized that rabies is not merely a public health issue but a threat to Nigeria’s livestock development and food security. The government’s approach, he stated, is deliberate and inclusive, designed to ensure that no Nigerian family suffers the needless pain of losing a loved one to rabies. Maiha stressed that the battle cannot be won by government alone, it demands the active participation of communities, veterinarians, dog owners, and civil society.

The government has launched a nationwide mass vaccination campaign targeting dogs and cats, with an initial deployment of 26,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines. Priority distribution is being given to states with the highest incidence of rabies in recent months, including Lagos, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Kano, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory. These vaccines are also being supplied to 11 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and three Federal Colleges of Animal Health and Production Technology. To enhance accountability and coverage, technology will be used to track vaccinated animals in real time.

The One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, is central to the strategy. Representatives from the Ministries of Health and Environment pledged full support, reinforcing the intersectoral collaboration required to achieve the 2030 goal. Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, Permanent Secretary of the Livestock Ministry, highlighted the importance of capacity building for veterinary officers, expansion of diagnostic facilities, and technical support for state-level outbreak response.

Rabies remains nearly 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, yet it is entirely preventable through timely vaccination and responsible pet ownership. In Nigeria, an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 people die annually from rabies, with over 10,000 at risk of infection.

Children under 15 are disproportionately affected, often exposed through bites from free-roaming or hunting dogs.

The government is intensifying public sensitization efforts to promote wound care, rapid access to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and the importance of registering and vaccinating pets.

International partners, professional associations, and NGOs have commended Nigeria’s leadership and pledged technical and logistical support to scale up the campaign.

The declaration marks a turning point in Nigeria’s public health and veterinary landscape, transforming rabies from a neglected threat into a national priority.