The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed concern over the rising circulation of counterfeit and substandard veterinary drugs, warning that weak regulation and uncoordinated importation practices are undermining livestock health and national food security.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, issued the warning at a National Stakeholders’ Round-table on veterinary drug quality in Abuja on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Mukhtar said poor oversight of local manufacturing and distribution channels has allowed ineffective products to enter the market, with farmers often unknowingly purchasing drugs that fail to treat their livestock, resulting in avoidable deaths, economic losses, and reduced sector productivity.
He described the livestock industry as a vital pillar of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda, noting that millions depend on cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry for income, nutrition, employment, and rural livelihoods.
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Highlighting the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials including wrong dosages, poor storage, and unsupervised administration, Mukhtar warned of the threat of antimicrobial resistance, which affects both animals and humans.
“Resistant pathogens do not respect the boundary between animals and humans. This is a public health priority that demands urgent action,” he said.
The minister called for a robust, coordinated regulatory framework, urging stakeholders to strengthen licensing, improve distribution, enhance post-market surveillance, and combat counterfeit products.
He also stressed the need to raise awareness among livestock owners, many of whom rely on informal vendors due to limited access to qualified veterinary professionals.
Mukhtar reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building a transparent and accountable veterinary drug system, ensuring farmers have consistent access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines critical for Nigeria’s livestock sector and overall food security.