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Quarantine agency decries inadequate funding, manpower to operate
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has expressed concern over inadequate manpower and funding to effectively carry out its operations.
Director, Animal Quarantine Dr Abiodun Akinjo, stated this on Thursday in Abuja that the agency has only 30 veterinary officers among other personnel to man over 52 border posts across the country.
According to him, the number is grossly inadequate, and the gap is greatly impeding on the agency’s operations.
“There is urgent need for the appropriate authorities to come to the aid of the agency.
“We have over 52 border stations all over the country but we cannot meet up with the number because we have to seek for the approval to go ahead and employ more.
“Therefore, we have serious need for more veterinary doctors.
“We cannot adequately cover these areas but what we are doing at the moment is to make sure that every entry and exit points have at least a veterinary doctor and other personnel like animal husbandry and livestock development officers among others.
“However, there is need for veterinary doctors to oversee all these categories of officers which are not not also sufficient.
“We operate 24/7 services through morning, afternoon and night shifts, but to be able to do this effectively we need adequate manpower,” Akinjo said.
The director specifically cited a scenario where the Nigerian Immigration Service on opening new borders wrote to the agency requesting for equivalent personnel to man the areas.
Akinjo said that the agency was unable to meet the demand due to a lack of adequate manpower.
“Being a new agency, we are hopeful that the government will approve or give us consideration to employing more hands so that we can meet up with the challenges ahead of us, employment is very crucial.”
Akinjo appealed to the Federal Government to prioritize adequate budgetary allocation to the agency in order to procure standard equipment and official vehicles for its field workers.
“We should be funded properly which is key; adequate and timely provision of funds will assist the agency to respond quickly,
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Riyadh 2025: Nigeria’s Boxing Contingent Departs for Saudi Arabia
Joel Ajayi
Team Nigeria’s boxing contingent has officially departs the shores of the country for Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ahead of the 6th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games, taking place from November 7 to 21, 2025.
The team forms a vital part of Nigeria’s contingent at the multi-sport event, which gathers athletes from across over 55 nations globally. Nigeria’s participation reflects the nation’s commitment to expanding its global sporting profile and using sport as a tool for unity, national pride, and youth development.
Chief de Mission, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the Riyadh Games as a “crucial aspect of Nigeria’s strategic sports development plan,” emphasizing that the event serves as both a test of preparation and a pathway toward greater international success, including at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian athletes receive the necessary support to excel on global platforms.
“This is more than just another international competition; it is a vital stepping-stone for our athletes toward Olympian ambitions,” Hon. Bukola Olopade said ahead of the team’s departure.
“Our team is prepared, focused, and hungry for success. We carry the hopes of the nation with us to Riyadh,” Hon. Olopade added.
Nigeria has maintained a strong presence at the Games since the inaugural edition in 2005. Over the years, the country’s athletes have recorded success across various sporting categories.
The contingent is led by experienced coaches and supported by technical staff dedicated to achieving peak performance levels.
As the competition gets set to begin in Riyadh, all eyes will be on the Nigerian contingent to deliver a performance that reinforces the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations.
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