Kogi Veterinary Association Pushes for Rabies Control Bill

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association NVMA, Kogi State chapter, has urged the state government to domesticate the Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026.

The association also called for the employment of at least two veterinary doctors in each of the state’s 21 Local Government Areas to improve rabies surveillance and strengthen the One Health response.

The Chairman of the association, Dr Tolu Omotugba, made the call on Monday in Lokoja at a news conference to commemorate the 2026 World Rabies Day.

Omotugba said Kogi could not afford to be complacent about rabies because of its large dog population, particularly dogs used for hunting and security, as well as its porous borders.

He described rabies as a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but preventable through timely vaccination and appropriate response.

According to him, only about 28 to 30 veterinary officers are currently in the Kogi civil service, leaving some local government areas without a veterinary officer.

He said the association was proposing a minimum of two veterinary doctors per local government area to improve disease reporting, particularly for diseases with public health implications.

Omotugba also cited a 2025 rabies outbreak in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, where 12 people, including three members of one family, reportedly died.

He said the 2026 World Rabies Day theme, “Stronger Together”, highlighted the need for collaboration among the Ministries of Health, Environment, Education and Livestock, as well as veterinary and medical professionals, environmental health officers and community leaders.

The association also called for the establishment of a dog registry and compulsory annual vaccination, alongside penalties for stray dogs and humane methods of managing stray animals.

Omotugba said Kogi’s existing legislation on rabies and dog control was outdated, noting that current laws did not adequately address modern population management and enforcement.

He urged the state government to provide a dedicated budget for rabies control, support free mass dog vaccination and public sensitisation, and make post-exposure prophylaxis available in state hospitals.

The association further proposed the creation of a Kogi One Health Rabies Task Force to coordinate efforts among relevant agencies and stakeholders.

Omotugba said the measures would strengthen the state’s efforts to prevent rabies-related deaths and called on the government to pursue the goal of making Kogi the first rabies-free state in North-Central Nigeria.