The Federal Government has reasserted its commitment to “control and eradicate” Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a disease that affects sheep and goats.
PPR is a “highly contagious viral disease”, and the FG is making the move as part of efforts to “promote livestock production and strengthen food security” in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development said in a statement.
Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, made the commitment in her opening statement at the Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Review and Update of Nigeria’s National Strategic Plan (NSP) for the Control and Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a two-day event in Abuja from July 16 to 18, 2026.
According to the Statement from the Ministry, Akujobi said: “”Nigeria has remained fully committed to the global goal, under the leadership of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), to eradicate PPR by 2030.
“”We have implemented a range of interventions, including disease surveillance, laboratory strengthening, outbreak investigations, targeted vaccination campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building programmes aimed at reducing the burden of PPR while improving disease reporting and response systems.””
The Perm Sec added: “”This disease continues to threaten livelihoods, reduce household incomes and constrain the growth of the livestock sector.
“Given that Nigeria has Africa’s largest population of small ruminants—estimated at over 200 million sheep and goats—and shares major transboundary trade corridors with Niger, Benin, Cameroon and Chad, strengthening our control measures is imperative.””
