The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) in Kogi has called on the State Government to employ at least two veterinary doctors per Local Government Area (LGA) to enhance rabies surveillance and One Health response. This appeal was made by the Chairman of the association, Dr. Tolu Omotugba, during a news conference in Lokoja to mark the 2026 World Rabies Day. Kogi, with 21 LGAs, has a significant dog population used for hunting and security, as well as porous borders, making it a high-risk area for rabies.
According to Dr. Omotugba, rabies is a disease that is 99.9% fatal once symptoms appear but 100% preventable. He emphasized that the current number of veterinary officers in the state civil service, which stands at 28 to 30, is grossly inadequate. Some LGAs do not even have a veterinary officer, while most states in the federation have over 50 to 100 veterinary officers. Dr. Omotugba suggested that if the state government could employ more veterinary doctors, they could have as many as five per LGA.
The NVMA Chairman recalled that in 2025, Bassa LGA in Plateau lost 12 lives, including a family of three, to rabies. He warned that a single dog bite or scratch can end a family's life. The 2026 theme, "Stronger Together," emphasizes the need for collaboration among Ministries of Health, Environment, Education, and Livestock, as well as veterinary and medical doctors, environmental health officers, and community leaders to combat rabies.
Dr. Omotugba commended the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, for targeting 70% annual dog vaccination and zero human deaths by 2030. He noted that 26,000 doses were deployed to eight high-risk states in 2025, while the FCT recently flagged off the vaccination of 20,000 dogs. However, Kogi still relies on outdated laws, including the Rabies Act of 1935 and the Dogs Law, Cap 36 of Northern Nigeria.
The NVMA Chairman decried that less than 5% of dogs in Lokoja, Okene, Anyigba, and Ankpa are licensed. He argued that it is impossible to eliminate a 21st-century disease with 20th-century laws. Dr. Omotugba urged the state government to domesticate the Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026, which would make annual vaccination compulsory, establish a dog registry, and stipulate penalties for stray dogs.
Dr. Omotugba also called for a dedicated budget line for rabies under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project to support free mass vaccination, sensitization, and post-exposure prophylaxis in state hospitals. He suggested the creation of a Kogi One Health Rabies Task Force to coordinate efforts to combat rabies. The association aims to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to prevent the spread of rabies in the state.
The Kogi NVMA's demand for more veterinary doctors per LGA is a crucial step towards enhancing rabies surveillance and One Health response in the state. The association's efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of rabies and the need for modern laws to regulate dog ownership are essential to preventing the spread of the disease. Key stakeholders, including the state government and veterinary professionals, must work together to implement the recommended measures.
Key points
- Kogi NVMA demands two vet doctors per LGA to strengthen rabies surveillance and One Health response.
- The association urges the state government to domesticate the Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026.
- The NVMA calls for a dedicated budget line for rabies under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project.
