Abattoirs silently ravaging Nigerians, animal experts warn

Abattoirs across Nigeria are silently endangering public health, acting as breeding grounds for dangerous pathogens and multidrug-resistant bacteria, animal experts warn. A report titled ‘Public Health Perspective of Public Abattoirs in Nigeria, Challenges and Solutions’ highlights these facilities as significant sources of contamination, leading to serious health issues among consumers.

Dr. Gani Enahoro, past President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), expressed deep concern over the risks associated with meat services at the nation's abattoirs. He stated that many Nigerians unknowingly consume meat contaminated with tuberculosis, brucellosis, salmonella, E. coli, parasites, and dangerous chemical residues. "Unknown to many, a lot of people die from food poisoning traceable to meat sources, or in some cases had contracted viral or bacterial diseases through wrong processing of meat and its byproducts. This is not an exaggeration. It is a national emergency hiding in plain sight," Enahoro said.

“

Unknown to many, a lot of people die from food poisoning traceable to meat sources, or in some cases had contracted viral or bacterial diseases through wrong processing of meat and its byproducts. This is not an exaggeration. It is a national emergency hiding in plain sight.

Enahoro further disclosed that butchers often resist veterinary directives, resorting to dangerous traditional practices. This resistance results in the widespread consumption of contaminated meat, which may not kill instantly but weakens the body, damages organs, and shortens lifespans. He emphasized that countries with strict food safety standards would not import meat from nations with poor slaughterhouse practices.

To address this critical issue, Enahoro recommended a multi-level implementation strategy. This includes revising the legal framework to ensure stronger regulatory and supervisory roles from state and federal governments, not just local ones. Veterinarians must lead slaughterhouse operations to professionalize management, and butchers should receive training and certification in public health, biosecurity, and biosafety measures. Additionally, the concessioning of abattoirs should prioritize safety over revenue, and Nigeria needs more hygienic facilities equipped with modern infrastructure, waste treatment systems, and disease surveillance units.

“

Countries that maintain strict food safety standards will not import meat from nations with poor slaughterhouse practices’.