A century of veterinary medicine in Nigeria: From disease control to national development

“Care for the herd, and the herd will sustain the home”, this African proverb reflects the economic importance of livestock to families and communities.

As Nigerian veterinarians convene in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, this October for the annual conference of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, the occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on more than a century of veterinary development in the country.

Since the establishment of the first Veterinary Department in Zaria in 1913, veterinary medicine has evolved into a vital component of Nigeria’s agricultural, public health and economic infrastructure. Through disease control, livestock development, food safety regulation and scientific research, the profession has made enduring contributions to national development.

Although often viewed primarily through the lens of animal healthcare, veterinary medicine has played a much broader role in safeguarding livelihoods, strengthening food security, facilitating trade and protecting public health. Its history mirrors the wider story of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and institutional development over the past century.

Foundations of Veterinary Medicine in Nigeria

The roots of organised livestock administration in Nigeria predate colonial rule. In Northern Nigeria, livestock management was overseen through the institution of the Sarkin Shanu (Chief of Cattle), which supervised grazing areas (hurumi), stock routes (burtali), livestock markets (kara), slaughter facilities (kwata) and seasonal livestock movements. Revenue from the Jangali cattle tax, an important source of internally generated revenue levied mainly on pastoral cattle owners, supported livestock administration and governance across Northern Nigeria until its abolition by the federal government in 1975.

With the establishment of British colonial rule, these indigenous systems were retained and adapted through indirect administration. As livestock populations expanded and animal diseases increasingly threatened economic activity, the need for organised veterinary services became more pressing.

Modern veterinary administration formally began in 1913 with the establishment of the Veterinary Department in Zaria. Initially responsible for livestock census activities, disease surveillance and the control of infectious diseases, the department laid the foundation for what would become one of Nigeria’s most important agricultural institutions.

Following the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914, F. R. Brandt was appointed the country’s first Chief Veterinary Officer and helped organise veterinary services on a more structured basis. A further milestone came in 1924 when veterinary laboratory and research activities were transferred from Zaria to Vom on the Jos Plateau. The favourable climate and strategic location made Vom an important centre for research, diagnostics and vaccine production. Over time, it evolved into the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria’s foremost veterinary research establishment.

Building a profession and supporting national development

The early years of veterinary practice were marked by formidable challenges. Rinderpest, commonly known as cattle plague, periodically devastated livestock populations across West Africa, while trypanosomosis transmitted by tsetse flies severely constrained livestock production in many parts of the country. Veterinary officers relied on surveillance, quarantine and treatment programmes to protect livestock and pastoral communities.

Their responsibilities extended beyond livestock diseases. Veterinary authorities also played important roles in controlling agricultural pests such as locusts, grasshoppers and Quelea birds, recognising the close relationship between animal health, crop production and food security.

Developing skilled personnel was equally important. The establishment of the Veterinary School in Vom in 1941 marked a turning point in veterinary education. Originally designed to train veterinary assistants and field personnel, the institution later became an important regional centre for veterinary training in Africa.

A significant milestone was achieved in 1954 when Dr Bukar Shu’aib graduated from the University of Liverpool, becoming the first Nigerian to obtain a university degree in veterinary medicine. His achievement symbolised the emergence of indigenous leadership within the profession.

The post-independence era brought rapid expansion. Governments invested in livestock development, while veterinary services became increasingly Nigerian-led. Programmes promoting access to water resources, grazing reserves, veterinary care and livestock markets helped strengthen pastoral production. The Northern Nigeria Grazing Reserve Programme emerged as one of the country’s major efforts to support livestock development and improve the management of pastoral resources.

At the same time, organised livestock enterprises gained prominence. Parastatal livestock establishments, dairy and breeding centres, and commercial production schemes were developed to improve productivity and strengthen domestic supplies of meat and milk. Notable examples included the Vom Dairy establishment, Shika Stock Farm, Mokwa Cattle Ranch, Raav Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centre, Obudu Cattle enterprise, Agege Dairy establishment, and the Western Livestock Company among others

Collectively, these developments transformed livestock production from largely traditional systems into an increasingly organised sector encompassing animal health, breeding, parastatal ranching, dairy and poultry production, pasture management, research and extension. They established the institutional foundations of modern livestock development and helped shape the veterinary and livestock administration that emerged with the creation of states in 1967.

Veterinary education also entered a transformative phase. The University of Ibadan established Nigeria’s first Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 1963, followed by Ahmadu Bello University in 1964. These institutions laid the foundation for modern veterinary training and produced generations of professionals who have served in academia, research, government and private practice.

The profession’s regulatory framework matured alongside these developments. The Veterinary Surgeons Ordinance of 1952 provided statutory regulation for veterinary practice and laid the foundation for the Veterinary Council of Nigeria. Subsequent legislation and international professional standards strengthened the quality, ethics and credibility of veterinary practice in the country.

Landmark achievements in animal health

Among the profession’s most significant achievements was Nigeria’s contribution to the eradication of rinderpest. Veterinary officers travelled across vast and often difficult terrain, vaccinating livestock and implementing disease-control measures that ultimately eliminated one of history’s most devastating animal diseases.

Nigeria was officially recognised as free of rinderpest in 2005 and contributed to the global eradication of the disease in 2011. Rinderpest became the first animal disease ever eradicated worldwide and only the second disease, after smallpox, to achieve global eradication.

Another notable success came with the control of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). Following Africa’s first confirmed outbreak in Nigeria in 2006, veterinary authorities implemented surveillance programmes, laboratory diagnostics, biosecurity measures, strategic depopulation and compensation schemes. These efforts helped contain the disease, and by 2013 Nigeria had self-declared freedom from notifiable avian influenza.

The profession has also contributed significantly to public health through meat inspection, food-safety monitoring, abattoir supervision and the prevention of zoonotic diseases. These functions remain essential to protecting consumers and maintaining confidence in the food supply chain.

The profession today

Veterinary medicine has grown into a substantial national profession. Nigeria now has more than 13,000 veterinarians and an estimated 50,000 veterinary paraprofessionals serving across government institutions, universities, research centres, private practices and the livestock industry. The number of veterinary faculties has expanded to 17, producing graduates who contribute to animal health and public health both within Nigeria and internationally.

Yet significant challenges remain. Nigeria’s livestock population exceeds 900 million animals, including cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. Despite this vast resource base, many livestock producers still have limited access to veterinary services, diagnostic facilities, vaccines and quality-assured animal-health products.

At the same time, the disease landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Emerging and transboundary animal diseases, antimicrobial resistance, urbanisation, environmental degradation and climate change continue to pose significant threats to livestock production systems and public health.

Preparing for the next century

Meeting these challenges will require sustained investment in veterinary infrastructure, disease surveillance, laboratory networks, and emergency preparedness. The future will demand greater specialisation in epidemiology, food safety, public health, animal welfare, wildlife health, disease intelligence, and the application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Digital surveillance systems, geospatial tools, and data-driven decision-making are already transforming animal-health management worldwide and offer immense opportunities to strengthen disease control and livestock productivity in Nigeria.

Equally important is deeper collaboration between public and private veterinary services. While government institutions provide regulatory oversight and lead disease-control programmes, private practitioners deliver critical clinical services, biosecurity support, and technical expertise to livestock producers. Together, they form the backbone of a resilient and modern animal-health system.

As Nigeria enters its second century of veterinary medicine, the profession stands at a defining moment. The pioneers built the institutions, controlled devastating diseases, and laid the foundations for modern livestock development. The task now is to build on that legacy, embrace innovation, and prepare for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

More than a century after veterinary services first took root in Zaria, the profession remains central to Nigeria’s prosperity, safeguarding animal and public health, securing food systems, supporting livelihoods, and driving economic growth. The iconic Veterinary Council of Nigeria headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, stands as a symbol of this remarkable journey, from humble beginnings to a modern, respected, and indispensable profession.

Hail Naija’s Animal Doctors: for over 100 years, they have protected the nation’s animals, safeguarded its people, secured its food supply, and helped build a stronger Nigeria.

Main is a former Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and past  VCN President