- Ogun State launched a statewide mass vaccination campaign targeting over 200,000 cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs
- Officials stressed the exercise protects livelihoods, prevents disease outbreaks, and enhances food security
- Veterinary teams and local councils collaborated to ensure effective implementation and community participation
Ogun State, Nigeria – The Ogun State Government has officially commenced its 2026 statewide mass livestock vaccination campaign, aiming to inoculate over 200,000 animals in a strategic effort to strengthen food security, protect rural livelihoods, and safeguard public health.
The flag-off ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Obafemi Owode Local Government Secretariat, with the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, highlighting the initiative as a key part of the government’s commitment to building a resilient livestock sector capable of driving economic growth and reducing poverty.
Owotomo explained that the vaccination programme would cover cattle, sheep, and goats against four major transboundary animal diseases. In addition, free anti-rabies vaccinations will be provided for dogs and other small animals, helping to reduce the risk of zoonotic infections and enhance community safety.
“Vaccination is a shared responsibility. When you vaccinate your animals, you protect your investment, your livelihood, and the wider agricultural economy,” Owotomo said, urging farmers, herders, and livestock traders to cooperate fully with veterinary teams. He further expressed confidence in the campaign’s success, noting that adequate vaccines, trained personnel, and a robust monitoring framework had been put in place to ensure effective implementation and accountability.
Obafemi Owode Local Government was chosen for the launch due to its strategic importance as a major livestock transit hub, making it crucial for disease surveillance and control across the state.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Taiwo Jolaoso, emphasised the significance of vaccinating livestock against highly contagious diseases, which can result in high mortality rates, reduced productivity, and significant trade losses if left unchecked. “Livestock owners should take full advantage of this exercise,” he urged, stressing that all the targeted diseases are preventable.
The Secretary to the Obafemi Owode Local Government, Kayode Dipeolu, pledged the council’s support for the programme, while some livestock owners commended the state government for its proactive approach to safeguarding animal health.
This mass vaccination campaign builds on earlier preventive measures, including a 2024 initiative in which the state planned to vaccinate around 420,000 cattle against anthrax within three months. At the time, Jolaoso had clarified that the exercise was purely preventive, aimed at forestalling any potential outbreaks and ensuring the well-being of both animals and residents.
By rolling out the 2026 campaign, Ogun State reaffirms its commitment to proactive animal health management, food security, and the protection of rural livelihoods, setting a model for other states in the region.