The Federal Government has sounded the alarm over the growing spread of fake and substandard veterinary drugs, warning that the dangerous trend is killing livestock, hurting farmers and threatening food security.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, said weak regulation and poor monitoring have allowed counterfeit and ineffective veterinary drugs to flood the market, leaving farmers unknowingly treating animals with useless or harmful products.
He warned that fake drugs often lead to treatment failure, livestock deaths and financial losses, weakening Nigeria’s livestock sector, which supports millions of livelihoods and provides essential protein nationwide.
Mukhtar also raised concern over the misuse of antimicrobials, including wrong dosages and poor storage, saying this fuels antimicrobial resistance that can spread from animals to humans, posing serious public health risks.
He stressed that ensuring safe and effective veterinary medicines is critical not just for agriculture, but also for national food security and economic stability.
The minister called for stronger regulation, tighter import controls, improved surveillance and better awareness for livestock farmers, many of whom rely on informal drug sellers due to limited access to veterinary professionals.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to building a transparent system that guarantees farmers access to safe, affordable and effective animal medicines.
Leave a comment