The Ogun State Government has launched its 2026 statewide mass livestock vaccination campaign aimed at immunising more than 200,000 animals against transboundary animal diseases.
The initiative, according to the government, is part of efforts to strengthen food security, protect rural livelihoods and safeguard public health across the state.
Declaring the campaign open at the secretariat of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, said the programme reflects the administration’s commitment to building a resilient livestock sector capable of driving economic growth and reducing poverty.
Owotomo explained that the vaccination exercise would cover cattle, sheep and goats against four major transboundary animal diseases known to threaten livestock productivity and farmers’ incomes.
He added that the campaign would also include free anti-rabies vaccinations for dogs and other small animals in order to curb the spread of zoonotic diseases and improve community safety.
The commissioner expressed optimism that the expanded campaign would have greater impact than previous exercises, citing the availability of adequate vaccine doses, trained veterinary personnel and a monitoring framework to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
Owotomo described vaccination as a collective responsibility and urged livestock farmers, herders, traders and other stakeholders to cooperate with government veterinary teams for the success of the programme.
“Vaccination is not just the responsibility of government; it is a shared responsibility. When your animals are vaccinated, you are protecting your investment, your family’s livelihood and the wider agricultural economy,” he said.
He noted that Obafemi Owode was deliberately chosen for the flag-off because of its strategic role as a major livestock transit hub, making it critical to disease surveillance and control within and beyond the state.
According to him, maintaining a healthy livestock population is essential to achieving sustainable food systems, creating employment opportunities and improving the socio-economic wellbeing of rural communities.
Earlier, the Director of Veterinary Services in the state Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwo Jolaoso, said the exercise targets highly contagious diseases capable of spreading rapidly across borders, causing high mortality rates, reduced productivity and significant losses in livestock trade.
Jolaoso added that the campaign also forms part of wider efforts to vaccinate dogs against rabies, a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans, and urged farmers to present their animals for immunisation.
“These diseases are preventable, and with the cooperation of our farmers, we can significantly improve livestock health and protect the wellbeing of our communities,” he said.
In his remarks, the Secretary of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Kayode Dipeolu, commended the ministry for selecting the council for the flag-off and assured the state government of the local administration’s support for the programme.
Two beneficiaries, Mrs. Princess Emmanuel and Mr. Olayode Idowu, also expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying the vaccination would help safeguard the health of their animals and improve the wellbeing of residents in the community.