The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Mark Ofua, has called for the urgent inclusion of veterinarians in Nigeria’s public health planning, warning that their continued exclusion undermines efforts to combat emerging health threats.
Ofua made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of activities marking the World Veterinary Day 2026 in Lagos.
Speaking on the global theme, “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health,” which the Lagos chapter adapted to reflect local realities as “The Nigerian Paradox,” Ofua said veterinarians remain underutilised in Nigeria despite their globally recognised role in safeguarding both animal and human health.
“Veterinarians are the bridge between animal health and human health. We help reduce and eliminate the spillover of diseases from animals to humans,” he said, noting that Nigeria has yet to fully integrate veterinary expertise into critical health discussions.
He stressed that several major disease outbreaks, including COVID-19, Ebola, Lassa fever and Avian influenza, have zoonotic origins, making veterinary input essential in disease prevention and response strategies.
According to him, emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases account for a significant share of global public health threats, underscoring the urgency of embedding veterinarians within policymaking structures under the One Health framework.
Ofua also raised concerns over unsafe livestock practices, particularly the indiscriminate use of veterinary drugs by unqualified individuals, which he said contributes to drug residues in food and rising antimicrobial resistance.
“If you go to farms, you find animals without veterinary supervision. Drugs are being used indiscriminately, creating challenges of drug residue in food and antimicrobial resistance. These are major threats to public health,” he warned.
He added that veterinarians are best positioned to address such risks through proper animal health management, food safety enforcement, and disease surveillance.
The NVMA chairman commended the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, for participating in the event and for his emphasis on collaboration in tackling emerging diseases.
He noted that the event brought together stakeholders across environmental, animal, and human health sectors to strengthen synergy under the One Health approach.
Ofua, however, urged policymakers to move beyond rhetoric by institutionalising the role of veterinarians in health governance.
“If you are having a conversation on public health or community health and veterinarians are not in key positions, then you have not started,” he said.
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He emphasised that Nigeria cannot effectively address public health challenges by focusing solely on human health while neglecting animal health, which is often the source of many diseases.
“We must change the conversation, not just in words but in action. Veterinarians must be recognised and engaged as key stakeholders in the One Health agenda,” he added.
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