The Veterinary Council of Nigeria has ordered the immediate closure of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), citing its failure to meet the necessary standards for running veterinary medicine programs.
The council’s president, Dr. Aishatu Abubaka-Baju, confirmed the development during the ongoing 60th Annual Congress of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association in Jos, Plateau State. Dr. Abubaka-Baju, who also serves as an Assistant Inspector General of Police, stated, “We are just coming from the University of Benin and other universities. We have closed down Veterinary Medicine at the University of Benin for lack of standards, so it cannot admit students.”
While UNIBEN’s veterinary faculty has been shut down, the University of Abuja has been granted interim accreditation for its veterinary program, with a review scheduled in two years. Dr. Abubaka-Baju emphasized the council’s commitment to ensuring that veterinary education in Nigeria meets high standards. “We are determined to reposition veterinary medicine in public higher institutions across the country for more effective service delivery,” she said.
The closure was a major talking point at the congress, which saw participation from top government officials. During the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, reiterated the government’s support for advancing veterinary services and livestock development.
“We thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the vision of establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development,” Dr. Akujobi noted, adding that the ministry’s initiatives aim to improve livestock productivity and the livelihoods of Nigerians involved in the sector. She also highlighted the importance of collaboration in integrating artificial intelligence into veterinary service delivery, which could foster innovation and enhance national food security.
Dr. Moses Arokoyo, President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, encouraged participants to explore new opportunities during the congress. Themed “A Century of Veterinary Service Delivery in Nigeria: Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in National Food Security,” the event underscores the crucial role of veterinary services in bolstering various sectors of the economy.
Dr. Arokoyo expressed optimism that the discussions would provide actionable solutions to harness the country’s livestock resources effectively for enhanced food security.
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