Nasir Idris
Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has commenced the revival and completion of Nigeria’s largest veterinary hospital, a project abandoned for over 13 years by previous administrations. The ultramodern facility, located along the Birnin Kebbi–Kalgo road on a 10-hectare expanse, is scheduled for completion in early 2026.
The state-of-the-art hospital will house specialised units including surgical theatres, ultrasound and diagnostic laboratories, administrative blocks, admission wards, livestock feed storage, and cutting-edge veterinary equipment, with dedicated personnel across various disciplines.
Speaking during an inspection of the facility, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Animal Health, Husbandry and Fisheries, Alhaji Kabir Usman Alaramma, stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to commission the project upon completion.
“This facility, the largest of its kind in Nigeria, is part of Governor Idris’s vision to elevate the livestock sector. Kebbi has the largest livestock population in the country, and this investment is strategic to enhancing productivity and the overall value chain,” Alaramma remarked.
He further noted Kebbi State’s extensive livestock infrastructure, comprising 25 state grazing reserves, 12 livestock routes, 74 LGA-level grazing paths, and 76 livestock markets—some of which serve international trade. “Our goal is to transform this hospital into a national reference centre for livestock health and management, equipping our farmers with modern practices to boost dairy and meat production,” he added.
Dr Alheri Ibrahim Senchi, Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry, disclosed that the facility will also serve academic institutions nationwide for veterinary practical training. He emphasised that Brazil’s interest in partnering with the state highlights Kebbi’s recognised potential in livestock development.
“Brazil’s collaboration acknowledges our capacity and readiness to deliver globally certified veterinary services. Our facility will support advanced practices such as artificial insemination, with the infrastructure to process and preserve semen samples to international standards,” Dr Senchi said.
The project contractor, Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, Managing Director of S. Fulani and Sons Nigeria Limited, commended Governor Idris for reactivating long-abandoned initiatives. “This hospital is vital not only to the Fulani community but to all livestock farmers, including pig farmers,” Kiruwa stated.
He assured that construction would be completed within the stipulated timeframe and urged livestock farmers to embrace the transition from traditional practices to modern animal husbandry, positioning Kebbi as a trailblazer in livestock innovation and economic diversification.
