By Pius Awunah
The acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja),Professor Matthew Adamu has urged Nigerian tertiary institutions to establish prototype ranches for teaching, research, and revenue generation.
He said such initiatives would strengthen collaboration between academia and government in livestock development.
Adamu stated this at the university’s campus on Friday, October 16, 2025,during the donation of 700 doses of anti-rabies vaccine to the university’s Veterinary Clinic by the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development,represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON),Mr. Samuel Anzaku.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the acting VC commended the ministry for its support, assuring that the vaccines and materials would be judiciously utilised.
“With Anzaku’s leadership as the
Chief Veterinary Officer and the federal government’s renewed attention to livestock health, we expect to see a significant transformation in veterinary services, particularly in disease surveillance and access to remote livestock communities”,Adamu noted.
The donation is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen veterinary healthcare and support the global campaign to eradicate rabies by 2030.
Making the donation earlier,the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON),Mr. Samuel Anzaku said the “gesture underscores the ministry’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and disease prevention in Nigeria’s livestock sector.”
Anzaku said that the donated items include 700 doses of anti-rabies vaccine, syringes, packs of cotton wool, disinfectants, and other disease-control consumables.
He stressed the importance of accurate documentation and reporting of vaccination activities within and around the university community.
“The federal ministry of livestock development recognises the University of Abuja’s pivotal role in advancing veterinary education and field research. This collaboration will help improve vaccination coverage and enhance disease surveillance capacity, “he maintained.
The visit reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to promote inter-institutional partnerships and sustain preventive health programs in line with the One Health approach to animal and human welfare.
