The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has launched a technical working group to combat Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, a disease that continues to ravage Nigeria's cattle economy. Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha inaugurated the task force to address the endemic disease that undermines productivity across the national herd and costs the livestock sector millions of naira annually.
CBPP remains one of the most damaging infectious diseases affecting cattle production in Nigeria. The disease spreads rapidly through cattle populations and causes severe respiratory illness, leading to reduced milk production, weight loss, and death in infected animals. Pastoral communities and commercial livestock operators have reported significant losses as the outbreak persists in different regions of the country.
Maiha explained that the technical working group will coordinate efforts to contain the disease spread, develop effective control strategies, and work with state governments to implement disease management protocols. The task force brings together veterinarians, livestock experts, and representatives from cattle-producing states to ensure a unified response to the crisis. The minister stressed the urgency of intervention, noting that CBPP threatens food security and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians dependent on cattle rearing.
The livestock sector contributes significantly to Nigeria's agricultural output and rural employment. According to the ministry, over 18 million cattle exist across the country, making disease control essential for maintaining production levels and export potential. The government has allocated resources to support the working group's operations and disease surveillance activities in affected areas.
State governments will partner with the federal ministry to establish monitoring systems and enforce quarantine measures in outbreak zones. The task force plans to conduct vaccination campaigns and provide technical support to livestock farmers on disease prevention practices. Success in containing CBPP will depend on coordinated action between government agencies, veterinary services, and livestock producers across all affected regions.
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