The first panzootic of Rinderpest in West Africa that occurred between 1885-1890, and the second wave between 1913 and 1914 culminated in a drastic reduction of cattle population from 9.01million to 2.7 million. The devastating effects of these Rinderpest outbreaks were responsible for the establishment of Veterinary services by the colonial powers in the protectorate colonies in Africa namely South and West Africa.

A Veterinary Department was established in Zaria in the West African protectorate in 1913, to conduct livestock census, disease surveys, and disease control by isolation and quarantine, with the help of Village Heads and the Native Authority Administration.

In 1924, the Department was moved to Vom, a location on the “Bauchi Plateau” as a Veterinary Laboratory. In the same year, the first biological (anti-rinderpest serum) was produced to control the rinderpest outbreaks. Vom thus became the Pioneer Institute in the West African Sub-Region in the production of Anti Rinderpest Serum and Animal Vaccines.

The Institute is endowed with highly trained manpower with experienced research Scientist in varied fields of Veterinary Sciences and other fields of Applied Sciences and a number of Medical Laboratory and Animal Husbandry Scientists. Research for the development of new vaccines or other methods of disease control to combat emerging diseases of livestock and poultry and improving the vaccines in production is the Institute’s primary area of focus.

By virtue of the Agricultural Research Institute Decree 35 of 1975, the name Federal Department of Veterinary Research was changed to National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) and has its Mandate as follows:

To conduct Research into all aspects of animal diseases, their Treatment and Control.
To Develop and Produce animal Vaccines, Sera and Biological to meet the National demand
To provide Surveillance and Diagnosis of animal diseases
To introduce Exotic Stock for improved egg, meat and milk production
To provide Extension Services to poultry and livestock farmers
To Train intermediate Manpower in Veterinary Laboratory Technology and Animal Health and Production Technology.

National Veterinary Research Institute
P.M.B 01 Vom, Plateau State Nigeria
07055578876
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]