By Peter Oyedele, Abuja

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) will host its second annual staff retreat from January 26 to 28, 2026, in Abuja, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and support Nigeria’s economic growth through improved animal health regulation.

The three-day retreat will bring together the Council’s 35 professional staff and is aimed at consolidating gains recorded in 2025 while repositioning the Council for the effective implementation of its newly developed Strategic Plan (2026–2030).

The event follows a series of landmark reforms supported by Propcom+, including the Council’s first-ever staff retreat, a comprehensive review of the Community Animal Health Curriculum and the Veterinary Surgeons Act, as well as the development of a long-term strategic roadmap.

Speaking ahead of the retreat, the Acting Registrar of the Council, Dr. Oladotun Ebenezer Fadipe, said the programme would focus on translating policy frameworks into measurable regulatory outcomes aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigerian Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

“Propcom+’s support in 2025 delivered historic milestones for the Council, including our inaugural staff retreat and the Strategic Plan 2026–2030,” Dr. Fadipe said. “This second retreat is about equipping our team to operationalise that framework and strengthen regulatory excellence in animal health, public safety and livestock productivity.”

He noted that the retreat would integrate the Council’s mandate within the ten strategic pillars of NL-GAS, reinforcing VCN’s role in regulating veterinary education and practice to curb zoonotic diseases, safeguard public health and enhance food security for Nigeria’s over 200 million citizens.

Deputy Registrar, Dr. Helen Ego Oputa-Chime, described the retreat as a continuation of the renewed momentum generated by the first edition held in January 2025, which took place at a time the Council was excluded from the federal budget.

“That retreat encouraged our staff to remain committed despite challenging circumstances,” she said. “Now, with the Council restored to the federal budget, we are strategically positioned to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda and NL-GAS, and to assert VCN’s critical role in the livestock industry.”

Dr. Oputa-Chime emphasised that more than 75 per cent of human illnesses are directly or indirectly linked to animals, highlighting the importance of effective veterinary regulation in protecting public health.

She added that the Council’s work in regulating animal health caregivers, veterinary premises and professional standards contributes to healthier livestock, safer food of animal origin, increased productivity in beef, milk, hides and skins, and improved export potential.

“This is animal health for human health,” she said. “When disease burden is properly managed, we protect lives, boost GDP, strengthen the economy and improve livelihoods.”

The retreat is expected to attract dignitaries and stakeholders from across the livestock, health and agricultural sectors. Expected participants include the Minister of Livestock Development, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Permanent Secretaries of relevant ministries, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, members of the VCN Board, leadership of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, representatives of the National Universities Commission, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and development partners including Propcom+.

Established under the Veterinary Council Act, the Veterinary Council of Nigeria regulates veterinary education and practice in the country, with a mandate to promote animal health, protect public health, enhance food security and support national economic growth.