L-PRES 2026 Workplan Prioritises Impact, Strategic Communication

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development supported by the World Bank, has unveiled its 2026 Workplan, outlining key interventions aimed at improving animal health, strengthening infrastructure, and boosting livestock productivity across Nigeria.

Speaking on Tuesday, 17th March 2026, during the presentation of the 2026 Workplan to the Steering Committee, the Minister hailed L-PRES as a key vehicle for advancing sector-wide reforms and creating economic opportunities.

“The L-PRES Project provides a strong platform to actualise our vision of a modern, productive, and resilient livestock sector. Our focus is on practical interventions that will improve productivity, strengthen animal health systems, and create sustainable value across the livestock chain,” he stated.

Mukhtar further stressed the importance of deliberate and strategic communication in driving the success of the L-PRES Project, stressing the need to effectively convey government interventions, outcomes, and impact to stakeholders and the Nigerian public.

“Strategic communication is not optional; it is central to the success of this Project. We must ensure that our activities, progress, and achievements are properly documented and communicated. Nigerians must understand what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how it impacts their lives,” he stated.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, highlighted the importance of last-mile delivery, stating that the ultimate measure of success would be the tangible benefits experienced at the grassroots level.

“Our focus must be on results that reach the end users. It is not enough to roll out programmes; they must be functional, accessible, and impactful. Strong coordination, accountability, and timely execution will be key to achieving this,” she said.

Also speaking, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, noted that the 2026 priorities were carefully designed to address critical gaps in the sector while building long-term resilience.

“The interventions outlined in this Workplan are targeted at strengthening institutions, improving service delivery, and enhancing productivity. Our focus is on ensuring that these investments translate into tangible benefits for livestock farmers and value chain actors across the country,” he said.

Central to the Workplan is the upscaling of vaccine production at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to enhance the country’s capacity for disease prevention and control. The Project will also undertake the remodelling of seven Colleges of Veterinary Medicine to strengthen training, research, and human capital development in the sector.

In addition, L-PRES will support the rehabilitation of grazing reserves in five pilot states, promote sustainable livestock management, and continue ongoing nationwide vaccination programmes to safeguard animal health. The Workplan also includes the completion of 13 model veterinary hospitals to improve access to veterinary services and strengthen disease surveillance systems.

Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu 
Head, Press and Public Relations 
17th March, 2026