By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – A firm in the livestock sector, Farm Innovation Nigeria Ltd, Thursday, launched VetWiz 2.0, an upgraded digital platform designed to diagnose diseases in livestock and boost surveillance real-time.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Farm Innovation, Chinwe Owhorji, described VetWiz 2.0 as a transformative tool that enables smarter, predictive disease surveillance.

Founded in 2019, Farm Innovation is known for its digital-first approach to empowering smallholder farmers and rural communities. The company has collaborated with partners such as the Mastercard Foundation, PropCom, and MyCaFe to deliver technology-driven agricultural and livestock health solutions.

Owhorji said: “From our engagements with stakeholders like NDRI and BCN, we saw the need to build a platform that supports both human and animal health workers. With this relaunch, we’re embedding AI to make disease monitoring more intelligent and responsive.”

The enhanced platform seeks to close critical data gaps in animal health, boost veterinary response, and strengthen public health systems—particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Initially, developed for community animal health workers, VetWiz has evolved into a more robust system featuring AI-powered tracking, data analytics, and real-time outbreak monitoring.

The app allows field officers to diagnose symptoms, receive treatment recommendations, escalate complex cases to licensed veterinarians, and connect with nearby veterinary shops for drugs and vaccines.

“With VetWiz 2.0, we are placing ourselves at the heart of digital agriculture and health innovation—not just to improve animal care but to strengthen food security and rural livelihoods across Africa”, she said.

She emphasized that the company’s work aligns with the global One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

“Sustainable food systems and public health cannot be achieved by one actor alone. That’s why we’re actively seeking partnerships across civil society, government, and the private sector”, she said.

Delivering a keynote, Head of Department/Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Samuel Anzaku who was represented by Dr Olasoju Taiwo highlighted the critical role of digital tools in livestock health.

“Livestock is the backbone of our economy. Any threat to animal health impacts food security and livelihoods. VetWiz 2.0, as a web-based AI tool, is both timely and essential”, he said.

Meanwhile, he added that the platform promotes digital service delivery and improves data collection, aligning with Nigeria’s civil service reform and innovation agenda.

“VetWiz, as a private-sector innovation, shares the Civil Service’s vision of using technology to enhance public health outcomes. There is clear synergy”, he stated.

Also in a remark, the Chief Technology Officer, Farm Innovation Nigeria Ltd, Olawale Arowolo, described VetWiz 2.0 as a major advancement in the use of AI in veterinary care.

“We are leveraging technology to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and public health response”, Arowolo said.

He also noted that the platform transmits real-time data to agencies like the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), supporting disease surveillance, laboratory analysis, and evidence-based policymaking.

“Our goal is to close gaps in disease trend tracking. This will not only improve treatment but also inform vaccine development and broader public health strategies”, he added.

“Technology won’t replace veterinary professionals—it’s here to support them, offer smarter insights, and improve outcomes for farmers and livestock”, he said.

He added that the platform connects farmers to local animal health workers and veterinary drug vendors, who can list their products and improve access to essential supplies.

Also speaking, Dr. Gbenga Ariyo, Programme Lead, Ikore International, provided technical support for VetWiz explained that the platform was designed with Nigeria’s rural realities in mind.

“We used the Veterinary Council’s curriculum for community animal health workers to guide development. The tool empowers them to report cases from remote areas, where most livestock are located and data is often lacking.

“Although the platform is currently free, we have a long-term sustainability plan. Future improvements will be driven by user feedback”, he said.

The Firm disclosed plans to onboard key stakeholders including veterinary councils, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions to expand VetWiz 2.0’s capabilities and reach.