Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has officially launched the 2025 livestock vaccination campaign, which aims to vaccinate over 2 million animals across the state.
Speaking at the event in Itas on Monday, Governor Mohammed highlighted that Bauchi is one of the largest producers of livestock in Nigeria, with 75 percent of its farmers engaged in the rearing of various types of animals.
According to the Governor, available data indicates that the state is home to more than 3 million cattle, 8 million sheep, and goats, underscoring the urgent need to vaccinate these animals against diseases.
Governor Mohammed also noted that in 2024, Bauchi State recorded 200 incidents of dog bites, with 23 confirmed cases of rabies. He emphasised the importance of preventing rabies and urged dog owners to bring their pets for vaccination.
“In cases of rabies, which result from unvaccinated dogs, the state government has procured 10,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccine. These will be distributed to veterinary clinics across the 20 local government areas of the state. We encourage those who own dogs, whether as pets, for security, or for hunting, to bring them to a clinic for vaccination at no cost,” the Governor stated.
Governor Mohammed also highlighted that Bauchi State, in collaboration with the World Bank’s L-PRES project, is implementing measures to enhance the productivity and commercialisation of livestock, which will, in turn, contribute to improving food security in the country.
“Bauchi State has provided L-PRES training for 100 veterinary doctors, health workers, and livestock farmers on the prevention and treatment of animal diseases during and off-seasons,” the Governor explained.
He further disclosed that the project will establish veterinary clinics and a slaughterhouse in 14 local government areas, rehabilitate laboratories in 10 LGAs, and create a farmer feed school and a school of agriculture.
In addition, Governor Mohammed announced plans to construct 100 semi-dams along cattle routes across the state to ensure that cattle entering Bauchi have access to water.