The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has issued an alert to poultry farmers nationwide following the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.

In a letter to Directors of Veterinary Services in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Anzaku, urged state authorities and poultry farmers to intensify surveillance and strengthen biosecurity measures across their jurisdictions.

Dr Anzaku disclosed that a confirmed outbreak of HPAI H5N1 was reported at a commercial poultry facility in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, in the United Kingdom, noting that the outbreak was detected on December 29, 2025.

“Accordingly, Nigeria, through the Ministry of Livestock Development, in a bid to protect its poultry industry against the incursion, is placing all stakeholders on red alert,” he said.

He reminded stakeholders that Nigeria maintains an existing ban on the importation of frozen poultry and meat, a policy designed to protect the local poultry industry.

“Further to the above, you may recall there is an existing ban on the importation of frozen poultry and meat into Nigeria. This policy was instituted to discourage imports of frozen poultry and meat and to support local farmers,” Anzaku noted.

The Chief Veterinary Officer stressed the need for heightened awareness and collaboration among key agencies and stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, National Veterinary Research Institute, State Directors of Veterinary Services, and the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).

According to him, coordinated vigilance by these bodies is essential to preventing the entry and spread of avian influenza in Nigeria and safeguarding the country’s poultry industry.