Veterinary Reforms Crucial for Food Security, Public Health - Unilorin Don

A Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ilorin, Lukman Oladimeji Raji, has emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms in veterinary education to address pressing issues of food security and public health in Nigeria.

 Veterinary faculties should revise theriogenology curricula to incorporate contemporary advancements, such as reproductive ultrasonography, semen cryopreservation, and biostatistics for fertility data interpretation. Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in reproductive medicine should be introduced as a criterion for license renewal.

Governments should offer subsidized Artificial Insemination (AI) services to rural farmers, integrated into national agricultural subsidy and extension programs.

Professor Raji recommends establishing Semen Technology Centers in each of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones to decentralize access to reproductive technologies. These centers should house facilities for semen analysis, extender preparation, cold chain storage, and distribution logistics.