Veterinary Laws and Administration in Nigeria: Historical and Current Perspectives

Abstract

The structure of Veterinary regulations and administrative set-up in Nigeria was reviewed in historical and current perspectives. Nigeria is endowed with abundant livestock and other animal resources. However, the productivity of the livestock industry remains low due to multiplicity of constraints. Some of the constraints include, prevalence of animal diseases of serious socioeconomic impact, non availability of veterinary drugs & biologics, inadequate and poor quality feeds, inadequate number of veterinarians (only 4,835 registered veterinarians, of whom 3141 (65%) are in the private sector and only 7,500 para vets/lab. scientist). There is obsolete / deficient veterinary laws and administrative set-up amongst other things. The organized practice and administration of veterinary medicine began in France with the establishment of veterinary school at Lyon in 1762. In Africa, Egypt took the lead at Cairo in 1827. Subsequently, the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) was established in Paris in 1920. In West Africa and indeed Nigeria; the Nigerian Veterinary Department was established in Zaria (Northern Nigeria) in 1913. In 1924, Federal Department of Veterinary Research (now National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom) was established. The veterinary administration in Nigeria is monitored and delivered by the Federal, State and Local governments through provision of laws and legislations. Some of these laws and legislations/regulations are conflicting and more recently is that with NAFDAC. For effective veterinary care delivery in Nigeria there is need for an update and the harmonization of veterinary regulations to avoid multiplication of laws by different government agencies and keep up-to-date with current socio-economic situation.