The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, has charged Nigerian universities to take a leading role in driving research, innovation, and training that will strengthen the livestock sector and address emerging animal and public health challenges.

Ribadu, himself a trained veterinarian, stated this during a strategic engagement on livestock development facilitated by the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, which brought together State Directors of Veterinary Services and key stakeholders to address challenges facing the sector.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and focused on revitalising veterinary services at the subnational level while improving livestock productivity in support of national food security.

Ribadu stressed that veterinary practice remains central to both animal and public health, particularly in a world where diseases can rapidly cross species and communities, making university level training and research more critical than ever.

He reaffirmed the commission's commitment to improving the quality of university education in specialised fields, noting that the implementation of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards would enhance veterinary education by placing greater emphasis on practical skills, innovation, and professional ethics.

The engagement further highlighted the need for a more coordinated veterinary system across states, with stakeholders agreeing that stronger collaboration between government institutions and universities is essential to achieving meaningful progress in the sector.

As Nigeria intensifies efforts to modernise its livestock industry and shore up food security, experts at the meeting noted that sustained investment in education and training remains key to building a competent workforce capable of driving long term sectoral growth.