The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in a 3,000-capacity poultry farm in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Council of Rivers State.
 
This was as poultry farmers called on the Federal Government to reduce tariffs on imported micro-inputs and poultry production equipment while implementing a duty-free policy to lower production costs and drive growth in the poultry value chain. 
 
The outbreak was reported on January 17, 2025, and confirmed, yesterday, by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, in a statement. According to the statement, the affected farm has been quarantined to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease. 
 
Kii noted that the birds have been depopulated, and the premises have been decontaminated using international best practices. He stated that disinfectants had been provided for continuous decontamination of the farm, and the ministry’s veterinary teams, in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, visited the farm and took necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
 
The ministry, the commissioner added, has also launched an awareness campaign to sensitise poultry farmers on best practices to prevent the disease. The campaign, he further said, is being carried out in collaboration with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and others to educate farmers and the public about avian influenza, its symptoms and the importance of bio-security measures in poultry management.
 
He, however, urged poultry farmers and members of the public to report any unusual symptoms in birds, such as sudden death, decreased egg production, respiratory distress, redness in the shank, swollen comb and wattles.  

PAN made the call in Abuja when its delegation led by Olatunde Badmus, visited the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha.
 
Speaking to the PAN delegation, the minister emphasised the urgent need for government intervention to address challenges facing the poultry industry.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalising the sector, highlighting the importance of sustainable policies and immediate action.
 
“The large-scale cultivation of maize, sorghum and soy is imperative. Without these critical inputs, we cannot break free from the present challenges. Be assured, progress is already underway,” Maiha.
 
The delegation urged the government to act as the “buyer of last resort” for key grains like maize and soy to stabilise market prices, ensure a steady supply of poultry feed and enhance national food security.
 
In addition, PAN advocated zero-duty policies on imported poultry equipment and micro-inputs to reduce production costs, even as they also supported maintaining restrictions on frozen poultry imports to protect local producers and attract foreign investments into Nigeria’s poultry sector.