As the world marks World Animal Day 2025 under the theme “Save Animals, Save the Planet,” experts have stressed the need for renewed commitment to animal welfare and the implementation of livestock policies that can transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Dr. Shehu Abdulkadir Zailani of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, lamented that many well-documented livestock policies, including the proposed Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) scheme, failed due to lack of political will and commitment from officials responsible for their implementation.
He noted that if the RUGA policy had been effectively implemented, nomadic herders would have been settled in one place with access to feed, clean water, veterinary health facilities such as clinics and dips, as well as schools and hospitals for their families.
“Restricting animal movement would have enhanced productivity and reduced the spread of diseases such as trypanosomosis, which are often contracted during long migration routes. Settling livestock in one location would also maximize the use of animal by-products like hides, bones, blood, and even faeces, which can serve as manure to replace chemical fertilizers on farmlands,” Dr. Zailani said.
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He further emphasized that effective adoption of the RUGA scheme at state levels could reduce farmer-herder conflicts, revive struggling livestock industries such as meat processing plants, create employment for youths, and generate revenue for governments through livestock trade.
On why such policies have faced resistance, Dr. Zailani explained that some critics argued that cattle rearing is an individual business and therefore should not attract government intervention. However, he described this as a weak argument.
“Unlike what we see with petroleum transporters who receive huge budgetary allocations to ensure smooth distribution of fuel across the country, livestock farmers are left to struggle on their own. Yet, the livestock sector contributes immensely to food security, rural development, and national revenue. The same level of support extended to other sectors should be applied to livestock production,” he stressed.
Adding his voice, Muhammad Sani Muazu, a registered animal scientist, spoke on the global significance of World Animal Day 2025, which falls on October 4th and commemorates its 100th anniversary this year.
He described the celebration as a global reminder of the shared responsibility humans have in protecting animals and safeguarding the environment.
“This year’s theme, ‘Save Animals, Save the Planet,’ highlights how animal welfare and environmental health are inseparable. Protecting animals means restoring ecological balance, conserving biodiversity, and ultimately ensuring human survival,” Muazu said.
He emphasized that World Animal Day is not just symbolic but a platform for awareness, advocacy, and action against threats such as climate change, poaching, habitat loss, and cruelty to animals.
Muazu urged Nigerians to take concrete steps in improving animal welfare, ranging from responsible livestock management to supporting conservation projects and adopting sustainable lifestyles.
“Every effort counts—whether it is rescuing a stray, advocating for stronger laws, or promoting animal-friendly practices. By saving animals, we are also saving the planet for future generations,” he added.
