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Private veterinary practitioners in Oyo State are set to benefit from the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support project following a stakeholders’ roundtable meeting held in Ibadan on Wednesday.
The meeting, which took place at the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, (OYSADA), Headquarters, Total Garden, Ibadan, brought together consultants, officials of the Oyo State Government and representatives of veterinary associations to streamline the enlistment of private veterinarians into the project.
The Director-General of the Agency, Debo Akande, who also Chairman the Oyo State L-PRES Steering Committee, said the engagement marked a critical step in strengthening livestock development in the state.
Represented at the event by the State Coordinator, Alhaji Kola Kazeem , Akande said the consultants were engaged by the L-PRES National Office with a mandate to meet and facilitate the comprehensive enlistment of private veterinary practitioners across participating states.
He noted that integrating private veterinarians into the project would significantly expand its reach and impact.
“Your on-the-ground presence, established community trust and clinical expertise are invaluable assets that will significantly bolster our efforts in improving livestock productivity, strengthening animal health service delivery and enhancing disease surveillance networks,” he said.
He added that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde had prioritised the modernisation of agriculture, shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness, with veterinary services playing a central role.
According to him, the state government approved the recruitment of veterinary doctors and agricultural extension officers across the 33 local government areas in late 2024 to strengthen service delivery.
He also highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Oyo State chapter, and the involvement of private veterinarians in vaccination campaigns and meat inspection at government-approved abattoirs.
Akande disclosed that this year’s focus of the L-PRES project in the state would include the establishment of a Livestock Service Centre in Fasola to further integrate private veterinarians into the agricultural value chain.
One of the consultants, Dr Gani Enahoro, described the meeting as part of a nationwide awareness and screening programme for qualified private veterinary practitioners.
“It’s an awareness programme to sensitise, identify and screen qualified private veterinary practitioners who would provide services on this project. We have gone to many states already and have seen very good enthusiasm and cooperation,” he said.
Enahoro stated that each participating state would have a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 beneficiaries, adding that Oyo State was likely to receive the maximum allocation.
“From the quality of engagement we’ve had today, we should give 10 slots to Oyo State. So we’ll give the maximum slots to the state,” he said.
He explained that the World Bank-funded initiative would provide selected practitioners with transport support, motorcycles and basic veterinary equipment, including surgical kits, to enhance service delivery and enable them reach livestock farmers in remote areas.
Another consultant, Professor Nafarnda Wesley, said Oyo was selected as one of the 20 participating states in recognition of the efforts of the state government in livestock development.
“We are here to select private veterinary practitioners that will take services to the farmers and ensure complete coverage of veterinary services in the state to improve livestock production,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Oyo State Chapter, Dr Bolaji Olaomo, described the programme as laudable and capable of bridging the gap between service providers and farmers.
“As this programme is well implemented, it will bring veterinarians closer to farmers and help the state retain its position as a leading base of livestock production, especially poultry,” he said, urging farmers to cooperate with government and veterinary professionals.
Also speaking, the President of the Association of Private Veterinary Medical Practitioners of Oyo State, Dr (Mrs) Olubukola Olayemi, welcomed the initiative and assured stakeholders of the association’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the project in the state.
