Ending Rabies: How Nigeria Is Fighting A Preventable Killer

For decades, rabies has silently claimed thousands of lives across Africa and Asia many of them children under 15.
Though entirely preventable, the disease remains almost always fatal once symptoms appear. To change that grim reality, the federal government has launched a national anti-rabies vaccination campaign aimed at eliminating the disease by 2030.
At the official flag-off held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the initiative is part of a coordinated “One Health” approach — bringing together the Ministries of Livestock Development, Health and Social Welfare, and Environment to tackle zoonotic diseases.
“This year’s theme: ‘You, Me and the Community,’ reminds us that the fight against rabies is everyone’s fight. Eliminating rabies requires not just government effort, but the active involvement of every citizen — from dog owners and hunters to teachers and parents,” the minister said.
To demonstrate this commitment, the federal government has procured 26,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines for immediate distribution to eight high-risk states — Lagos, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Kano, Osun, and the FCT.
Vaccines will also be supplied to 11 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and three Federal Colleges of Animal Health and Production Technology across the country.
Maiha explained that technology will be deployed to record all vaccinated animals in real time, improving data management and tracking progress toward the 2030 target of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, represented by Mr. Stephen Ohaeri, described the campaign as a call to action. “This effort goes beyond vaccination — it’s about awareness, collaboration, and compassion,” she said, applauding veterinarians and frontline workers for their dedication.
Also speaking, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Muhammed Inuwa, represented by Dr. Samuel Anzaku, expressed optimism that the campaign would translate into meaningful progress in curbing rabies nationwide.
Partners such as the FCT Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Idris Ademoh, and Blue Blood Veterinary Services’ Dr. Bala Mohammed, pledged continued collaboration to strengthen vaccination coverage and public education.
As syringes empty and vaccination records fill up, hope is quietly spreading through communities once gripped by fear. The goal is clear: by 2030, Nigeria intends to consign rabies — a disease that has lingered too long in silence — to the pages of history.