Stakeholders in Nigeria’s livestock, environment and health sectors have renewed their commitment to ending rabies by 2030 through sustained public awareness, animal vaccination and improved access to post-exposure treatment.
They made the commitment at a symposium in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Rabies Day.
The event was attended by representatives of the CORE Group Partners Project, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), World Health Organisation (WHO) and War Against Rabies Foundation (WARF), among others.
Dr Lami Samaila, Secretariat Director, CORE Group Partners Project, said sustained public awareness, responsible animal ownership, timely reporting and effective surveillance were critical to preventing rabies.
Samaila stressed the need for closer collaboration between the human and animal health sectors in managing animal bites and providing life-saving post-exposure prophylaxis.
“Our approach recognises that there is an important connection between human and animal health.
“If we want to do everything regarding proper management of animal bites and giving life-saving post-exposure prophylaxis, no sector can do it alone,” she said.
She said the project would continue to support government and partners in strengthening community awareness, addressing misconceptions and promoting preventive measures.
Dr Chinnaemeka Joe-Iruobe, Chairperson of the FCT Chapter of NVMA, called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure the availability of human rabies vaccines.
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Joe-Iruobe also urged stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to tackle the presence of stray dogs in communities.
She cited a recent incident in Kano in which 10 people were reportedly bitten by a rabid dog, saying it underscored the need for stronger inter-sectoral action.
“Do not leave the fight against rabies to the animal health sector alone because we cannot do it alone.
“It affects you and us. So, let us come together and play our part to eradicate rabies by 2030,” she said.
Dr Alexander Chimbaru, Deputy Country Representative of WHO, who spoke on behalf of Dr Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative in Nigeria, said children aged five to 14 were among those most affected by rabies.
He said children accounted for about 40 per cent of rabies cases globally, stressing the need for greater awareness and protection.
Chimbaru said rabies imposed an estimated global economic burden of 8.6 billion dollars annually through healthcare costs, psychosocial effects and lost productivity.
He called for increased awareness of dog vaccination, early treatment and responsible dog ownership, as well as improved access to post-exposure prophylaxis.
Dr Theophilus Sani, Programme Lead, WARF, said rabies could be eliminated if veterinarians, medical doctors, laboratories and communities worked together.
Sani, who spoke on behalf of Prof. Grace Kia, Chief Executive Officer of WARF, urged stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and strengthen One Health collaboration at the grassroots.
“Forums like this are not just to discuss what the problems are, but also to drive solutions to eradicate this deadly disease by 2030,” he said.
