Bird flu is back in the headlines, and Nigeria isn’t taking any chances. The FG has just teamed up with the FAO in a fresh $350,000 project to stop Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza before it wreaks more havoc.

So, here’s the gist, according to cbinews.tv: The Federal Government is joining forces with the Food and Agriculture Organisation to get ahead of bird flu. They’re rolling out a $350,000 project aimed at beefing up how Nigeria prepares for, spots, and responds to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

The plan? Better disease surveillance, sharper lab testing, clearer risk communication, and tighter teamwork across sectors under the One Health approach. Over the next nine months, 240 animal health workers will get proper training so they’re ready to tackle outbreaks head-on.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, didn’t mince words. He reminded everyone that poultry is a huge deal for Nigeria’s food security and economy, but bird flu has been a recurring nightmare since it first showed up in 2006.

“The poultry industry remains a critical component of Nigeria’s livestock sector. However, it continues to face threats from transboundary animal diseases, particularly Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza,” Maiha said. Since 2021, the disease has flared up again, hitting farmers big and small and threatening livelihoods, food supplies, and even international trade.

“We must work together to restore livelihoods, close gaps in poultry product supply, and reconnect our poultry industry to international markets,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, speaking through Nigeria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Samuel Anzaku, noted that HPAI still pops up every year. It’s now affecting more bird species, but layer farms are getting hit the hardest – meaning major losses across the poultry value chain.

FAO’s rep, Dr Otto Muhinda, said they’re all in: “Through this project, we aim to enhance Nigeria’s capacity for early detection, preparedness, and rapid response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, thereby protecting livelihoods, food security, and public health.” The project will also develop predictive tools to cut future risks.

Other big players like the Office of the National Security Adviser, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, and the health and environment ministries are backing the collaborative approach.

For context, cbinews.tv reports that Nigeria confirmed bird flu outbreaks in Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Plateau, and Bauchi states in 2026. That’s why this FAO-backed intervention is launching in seven pilot states first – focusing on surveillance, lab capacity, biosecurity, risk comms, and rapid response.

Quick refresher: Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a super contagious viral disease from influenza A strains that mainly affects wild and domestic birds. Some strains like H5N1 can jump to humans, usually through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.

Source: cbinews.tv

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