NVMA: Urges Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026 Domestication

• The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association in Kogi State advocates for the employment of at least two veterinary doctors per Local Government Area.
• The association urges the state government to adopt the Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026.
• This proposed legislation aims to mandate annual dog vaccinations, establish a dog registry, and introduce humane management for stray animals.
• Current laws, including the Rabies Act of 1935, are deemed inadequate for modern rabies control and population management.
• Rabies is 99.9% fatal once symptoms manifest but is entirely preventable through vaccination.

The current reliance on antiquated legal frameworks, such as the Rabies Act of 1935 and the Dogs Law, Cap 36 of Northern Nigeria, is insufficient to address a 21st-century public health challenge.

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) in Kogi State has issued a strong call for the state government to bolster its rabies surveillance and One Health initiatives. During a press conference held in Lokoja at the NVMA Secretariat to commemorate the 2026 World Rabies Day, the association's chairman, Dr. Tolu Omotugba, urged the employment of a minimum of two veterinary doctors in each of the state's 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

This recommendation stems from a recognized deficit in veterinary personnel, with only approximately 28 to 30 veterinary officers currently serving in the Kogi civil service. This number is significantly lower than the 50 to 200 officers typically found in other Nigerian states, leaving some LGAs entirely without a veterinary presence. The NVMA emphasizes that an increased workforce is crucial for effective disease reporting, particularly for public health concerns like rabies.

A central component of the NVMA's advocacy is the urgent domestication of the proposed Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026. This comprehensive legislation is envisioned to introduce mandatory annual dog vaccinations, establish a centralized dog registry, and define penalties for stray animals, moving away from current practices towards more humane management methods. The association believes this bill is vital for modernizing the state's approach to rabies eradication.

Kogi State faces unique challenges in rabies control due to its 21 LGAs, a substantial dog population often utilized for hunting and security, and its porous borders. Rabies, a disease with a 99.9% fatality rate once symptoms manifest, is entirely preventable. The current inadequacy of veterinary staff exacerbates the risk, as evidenced by a tragic incident in 2025 where Bassa LGA in Plateau State recorded 12 rabies-related deaths, including an entire family of three, underscoring the devastating impact of a single animal bite or scratch.

The 2026 World Rabies Day theme, "Stronger Together," highlights the imperative for collaborative efforts across various sectors. The NVMA stresses the need for integrated action involving the Ministries of Health, Environment, Education, and Livestock, alongside veterinary and medical professionals, environmental health officers, and community leaders. Such a unified approach is deemed essential to effectively combat the spread of rabies and protect public health.

Addressing the current legislative shortcomings is paramount for effective rabies control. The existing legal framework, including the Rabies Act of 1935 and the Dogs Law, Cap 36 of Northern Nigeria, is largely outdated. While these laws address aspects like animal seizure and licensing, they lack provisions for modern population management and robust enforcement mechanisms, rendering them ineffective against contemporary challenges. This legislative gap is reflected in the low compliance rates, with less than five percent of dogs in key urban centers like Lokoja, Okene, Anyigba, and Ankpa currently licensed.

The current reliance on antiquated legal frameworks, such as the Rabies Act of 1935 and the Dogs Law, Cap 36 of Northern Nigeria, is insufficient to address a 21st-century public health challenge. These historical statutes, while providing for basic animal seizure and licensing, do not offer the necessary tools for effective dog population management or modern enforcement strategies. This legislative void contributes to a significant public health risk, as demonstrated by the fact that under five percent of dogs in major Kogi towns like Lokoja, Okene, Anyigba, and Ankpa are officially licensed.

The proposed Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026 aims to rectify these deficiencies by introducing several critical provisions. Key among these are the mandate for annual dog vaccinations, the establishment of a comprehensive dog registry, and the implementation of clear penalties for owners of stray dogs. Crucially, the bill also seeks to replace the practice of shooting stray animals on sight with more humane management protocols, aligning the state's animal welfare law with contemporary ethical standards.

Enactment of this Kogi dog ownership law would mark a significant step forward in Nigeria rabies legislation, providing a robust framework for disease prevention and control. It would shift the focus from reactive measures to proactive strategies, ensuring that dog owners are held accountable for responsible pet management and contributing to a safer public environment.

Beyond legislative reform, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association in Kogi is advocating for a multifaceted approach to achieve rabies eradication. This includes a dedicated budget line for rabies control under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project. Such funding would facilitate crucial initiatives like free mass vaccination campaigns, public sensitization programs, and the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis in state hospitals, ensuring comprehensive care and prevention.

The association also calls for the establishment of a Kogi One Health Rabies Task Force, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, inter-sectoral body to drive the state's rabies control efforts. These recommendations align with broader national objectives, as the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development led by Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has set a target of 70 percent annual dog vaccination and zero human deaths by 2030.

Federal initiatives have already seen 26,000 vaccine doses deployed to eight high-risk states in 2025, with the Federal Capital Territory recently launching its own vaccination drive targeting 20,000 dogs. By implementing these strategic measures and passing the Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026, the NVMA envisions Kogi leading the North-Central region as the first state to achieve rabies-free status.

Lawyers advising clients in Kogi State, particularly those involved in animal welfare, veterinary services, or local government compliance, should monitor the progress of the proposed Kogi State Rabies Control and Responsible Dog Ownership Bill 2026. Its enactment will introduce new mandatory vaccination requirements, dog registration, and penalties, significantly altering compliance obligations for dog owners and enforcement protocols.

Source: Reporting based on a local veterinary association's press conference.