The Nigerian Government has urged states and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to strengthen annual mass dog vaccination to prevent human deaths from rabies.
Dr Chinyere Akunjobi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), made the call on Monday in Abuja at a symposium to mark the 2026 World Rabies Day.
World Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28, with this year’s theme, “Stronger Together”.
Akunjobi, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Maiha, said no Nigerian should die from a dog bite because rabies was preventable through vaccination and prompt medical intervention.
She said every dog-bite incident should trigger veterinary investigation, laboratory diagnosis, post-exposure prophylaxis and community sensitisation.
According to her, effective rabies control requires collaboration among veterinary clinics, hospitals, laboratories, public health authorities and communities.
Akunjobi said responsible dog ownership involved regular vaccination, proper confinement and supervision, identification and prompt veterinary attention for sick animals.
She said the theme underscored the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health.
“Rabies remains one of the world’s most devastating yet entirely preventable zoonotic diseases.
“Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100 per cent fatal. Yet, it is also 100 per cent preventable with the tools, vaccines and knowledge we already possess. No Nigerian should die from a dog bite,” she said.
Akunjobi said dogs were responsible for more than 99 per cent of human rabies deaths globally, making their vaccination critical to preventing transmission.
She said mass dog vaccination was an effective and cost-efficient way of breaking the transmission cycle, noting that achieving 70 per cent vaccination coverage could interrupt transmission.
The permanent secretary said the ministry was working to strengthen veterinary services, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity and veterinary public health.
She added that Nigeria was targeting zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
Dr Samuel Anzaku, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), FMLD, called for stronger collaboration among sectors involved in rabies control.
Anzaku said prevention required the involvement of veterinary and medical services, environmental health authorities, local governments, research institutions, the private sector and development partners.
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He stressed that controlling rabies among dogs was critical to reducing human infections.
The CVON identified inadequate vaccination coverage in some areas, under-reporting, limited access to post-exposure prophylaxis, weak surveillance and inadequate funding as major challenges.
“These challenges require innovative, evidence-based and locally appropriate solutions,” he said.
Anzaku said the symposium provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the challenges, share experiences and identify practical measures to reduce human deaths from rabies.
