FG, FAO STRENGTHEN CAPACITY OF LIVESTOCK VALUE CHAIN STAKEHOLDERS TO CONTAIN AVIAN INFLUENZA

…AS JOINT TEAM CONDUCTS RISK ASSESSMENT AT WUSE MARKET, ABUJA

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the capacity of stakeholders across Nigeria’s livestock value chain to enhance disease surveillance, prevention, management and control, particularly in containing the spread of Avian Influenza.

The commitment was reiterated by the Head of the Department of Animal Health and Reproductive Services and National Programme Coordinator of the Avian Influenza Control Programme at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development,

 Dr. Mitchell Alao, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in Abuja, during the ongoing National Workshop and Training on the Avian Influenza Decision Support Tool.

Dr. Alao disclosed this during a joint field assessment at Wuse Market, Abuja, explaining that the exercise was designed to engage stakeholders, particularly poultry traders and other operators in the poultry value chain, in identifying potential disease transmission risks and understanding the dynamics of poultry business operations.

He noted that, the assessment provided the team with an opportunity to examine the movement of poultry birds from different parts of the country, including the North, North-West and North-East, into the market, as well as the transportation and distribution patterns, some of which take place at night.

According to him, the team assessed existing biosecurity practices, poultry handling procedures, animal welfare standards, slaughtering practices and the general sanitary conditions of the market.

"We have assessed biosecurity measures, how chickens are handled, animal welfare issues, how they are slaughtered, and the general environment. As a One Health team, we have identified some gaps that need to be addressed," he stated.

Dr. Alao further explained that, the FAO-developed Avian Influenza Decision Support Tool was being deployed during the training to strengthen risk assessment, improve disease surveillance and support evidence-based decision-making for effective disease control.

Similarly, the FAO Country Team Lead for Livestock in Nigeria, Dr. Otto Vianney, explained that, the market visit was aimed at gathering critical information on the sources of poultry birds, their transportation routes, movement patterns and duration of stay at the market.

He warned that, markets receiving poultry birds from areas experiencing disease outbreaks could become potential hotspots for the transmission and further spread of Avian Influenza.
"Because if they come from areas where there is a disease, the market itself becomes a hotspot.

 We are in the centre of the country, and Abuja could become a hotspot for transmitting the disease to other destinations. If there is a disease outbreak in Sokoto, in the North-West, Abuja could become a hotspot for the spread of the disease. This is what we are trying to assess," he explained.

Dr. Vianney added that, FAO, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and other relevant stakeholders, would support efforts to strengthen biosecurity measures at the market to prevent the spread of infection to poultry farms and surrounding communities.

He noted that ,data gathered during the field assessment would be integrated into the Avian Influenza Decision Support Tool to facilitate improved risk analysis and provide reliable information to support policy formulation and strategic interventions.

"We are going to populate the Decision Support Tool with some of the data we have collected today to help us make better decisions and enable our principals, including the Honourable Minister, to make informed decisions on the control of avian influenza in Nigeria," he said.

The FAO representative reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to supporting Nigeria's livestock development agenda through technical assistance, capacity building and the deployment of innovative decision-support mechanisms to strengthen disease prevention and control.

Meanwhile, poultry traders at Wuse Market expressed satisfaction with the visit, describing it as an important step towards improving awareness and strengthening disease prevention practices within the poultry business.

Among those who interacted with the visiting team were the former Secretary of the Chicken Association, Mr. Shaibu Saminu, who has over 35 years of experience in the poultry business; Mr. Usman Dodo, with 40 years of experience; and Mr. Haruna Ado, who has been in the business for 30 years, among other traders.

Mr. Saminu disclosed that, the poultry business at Wuse Market provides livelihoods for more than 200 people and handles over one million live birds, including broilers, spent layers, local chickens, guinea fowls, pigeons and other poultry species.

The National Workshop and Training also featured technical sessions during which participants received practical instruction on the application of the Avian Influenza Decision Support Tool. 

The sessions focused on identifying disease outbreak locations through geographical mapping, determining populations at risk, tracing disease transmission pathways and assessing seasonal variations, water-related factors and other indicators that could influence the spread of infection.

The initiative underscores the Federal Government's commitment, in partnership with FAO and other stakeholders, to strengthening Nigeria's animal health surveillance architecture, promoting the One Health approach and building a resilient livestock sector through improved disease preparedness, evidence-based interventions and effective stakeholder collaboration.

Ogochukwu Igboamalu
For: Deputy Director
Press and Public Relations Department
November 12, 2026.