Nigeria, Denmark deepen cooperation in livestock development

Nigeria and Denmark are strengthening cooperation in livestock development, food safety and animal health, with more than 150 Nigerian officials trained in critical areas under their Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) programme.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development said the partnership was helping to strengthen institutional capacity, improve regulatory oversight and promote sustainable livestock production in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, disclosed this in a goodwill message delivered by the Director of Monogastric and Ruminant Division, Victor Egbon, at the national initiation ceremony of the Danida Alumni Network Nigeria (DAN-NG) in Abuja on Thursday.

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Akujobi said the training covered food and feed safety management, animal disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance control, climate adaptation and veterinary regulation.

She noted that the collaboration was an important component of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s livestock industry for improved productivity, food and nutrition security, employment generation and export competitiveness.

According to her, Nigeria and Denmark recorded another milestone on June 7, 2026, with the signing of a Letter of Intent for the second phase of the Strategic Sector Cooperation Programme in Livestock Production.

She said the renewed commitment would help translate institutional capacity-building and technical knowledge into practical interventions benefiting livestock farmers, regulators, processors, consumers and other actors across the value chain.

The permanent secretary explained that the first phase of the programme focused on strengthening Nigeria’s capacity in feed management and control, animal health management, and farm and animal registration.

She added that the interventions were important for improving productivity, strengthening regulatory systems, enhancing food safety and building a more efficient and environmentally sustainable livestock sector.

Akujobi also highlighted the commencement of a joint antimicrobial resistance pilot programme in Oyo and Kano states, describing it as a significant development in addressing threats to animal and human health.

She said the initiative would promote improved surveillance, responsible use of veterinary medicines, better data collection and stronger collaboration among regulatory and veterinary institutions.

According to her, the partnership also provides opportunities to strengthen cooperation in feed management, veterinary medicine regulation, food safety, traceability, animal disease prevention and biosecurity.

She emphasised the importance of adopting a coordinated One Health approach involving institutions such as the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science and relevant livestock authorities.

The permanent secretary called on members of the Danida Alumni Network Nigeria to deploy their expertise and international exposure to support national development priorities, particularly the transformation of the livestock sector.

She said the network could contribute to innovation, knowledge-sharing, mentorship and evidence-based policymaking while facilitating stronger connections between Nigerian institutions and international development partners.

Akujobi assured the network of the ministry’s readiness to explore opportunities for professional exchange, technical collaboration, knowledge transfer and the development of innovative solutions to challenges facing the livestock industry.

In his welcome address on behalf of the Royal Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Henrik Stroh said Denmark’s cooperation with Nigeria was aimed at building institutional capacity and translating professional training into measurable development outcomes.

Stroh said Denmark’s 2024 strategy, Africa’s Century, reflected its ambition to build partnerships with African countries based on mutual respect and shared interests, including trade and investment, green transition, education, innovation and institutional cooperation.

He said Nigeria remained an important partner in the implementation of the strategy, with the Strategic Sector Cooperation supporting practical improvements in areas such as food safety, risk-based inspections, traceability, animal health and antimicrobial resistance.

According to him, the success of the cooperation should not be measured only by the number of people trained or courses completed, but also by the extent to which participants apply their knowledge to improve institutional performance.

“Training is important, but it is not an end in itself. The real value becomes visible after participants return to work,” he said.

Stroh challenged alumni to document and share practical examples of how their training had improved workplace procedures, strengthened institutions and helped colleagues acquire new skills.

He said the network could provide a platform for alumni to exchange practical solutions, build professional relationships across institutions and identify opportunities for cooperation between Nigerian and Danish partners.

He added that the network’s four Communities of Practice could provide a structured approach to sharing expertise and promoting collaboration.

The Danish Embassy, he said, could facilitate dialogue and connections where necessary, but the network’s long-term success would depend on members’ initiative and active participation.

Stroh urged the alumni to identify realistic priorities, agree on specific activities and establish clear responsibilities for the network’s work over the next 12 months.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of DAN-NG, Mrs Eucharia Ebere Ezeudegbunam, described the initiation ceremony as an opportunity for professionals who had benefited from Danish scholarships, fellowships and capacity-development programmes to contribute more effectively to Nigeria’s development.

She said the network brought together professionals from agriculture, health, education, climate change, governance and entrepreneurship, united by a shared commitment to applying their knowledge to national development.

Ezeudegbunam expressed appreciation to the Danida Fellowship Centre in Denmark for supporting the development of the network, particularly through the establishment of its Sounding Board in 2025.

She also commended the Royal Danish Embassy in Nigeria for supporting the initiation programme and strengthening engagement with alumni across the country.

The coordinator said her vision was to build a vibrant and effective network whose expertise would be sought by government ministries, departments and agencies and whose activities would deliver tangible solutions to national challenges.

She said the programme would provide members with an opportunity to discuss their mandates, share proposed activities and agree on collaborative priorities for the coming year and beyond.

Ezeudegbunam urged members to remain committed to the network’s objectives, stressing that its value would depend on their willingness to work together and apply their knowledge to practical development challenges.

The DAN-NG initiation ceremony brought together alumni of Danida Fellowship Centre programmes, government officials, development partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen professional networks and explore ways of translating international training and cooperation into tangible development results for Nigeria.