National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria

There are six independent research departments at NVRI: virology, bacteriology, parasitology, biochemistry, applied biotechnology and the Regional Laboratory for Animal Influenza and Other Transboundary Animal Diseases. Research from across the different departments contribute to the portfolio of vaccine-related research activities which is supported by facilities in a biotechnology laboratory complex (equipped with a range of facilities such as PCR, qPCR, tissue culture facilities etc.), a BSL-3 facility (enabling work with highly pathogenic organisms) and a modified BSL2 laboratory complex used for FMD and Animal Influenza research. At present there are over 300 qualified researchers with expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacy and bio-technology (not all involved in vaccine research). The research programmes on vaccine development at NVRI are driven by national and regional priorities, government policy, private sector demand and informed by the data relating to important endemic diseases (e.g. Pest des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), rabies and brucellosis and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP)) generated by the NVRI through its diseases surveillance work.

Some examples of research projects being undertaken by scientists from NVRI are briefly described in the boxed text (Box 1 and 2). For further information on these highlighted research projects and/or other research ongoing at NVRI please contact either Dr Maryam Muhammad, Director/Chief Executive (maryam [dot] muhammad [at] nvri [dot] gov [dot] ng) or Dr Ocholi (rbocholi [at] yahoo [dot] com).

A key component of the work conducted by NVRI is ensuring the results of laboratory research can be effectively translated to products that can be practically applied on farms to benefit local end-users in Nigeria. The Research Extension and Liaison Services Division (RELSD) at NVRI undertakes a number of activities to fulfil this remit including the planning and completion of ‘on-farm’ adaptive research trials (OFAR) to validate technologies when they are applied in the context of standard husbandry practices. The RELSD is also responsible for working with local and national groups to ensure technologies are made available to farmers for mass adoption, monitoring and evaluating technology adoption, and utilization in the field. Furthermore, the RELSD conduct impact assessment surveys (including socio-economic impact) of technologies that have already been deployed. Some of this work is conducted through ‘Adopted Schools and Villages’ which showcase new veterinary health technologies (with the full participation of the communities) and are used as exemplars of how vaccines and other technologies can benefit livestock farmers and their communities.

Communication with end-users is also achieved through a range of other methods. These include (but are not limited to) the employment of liaison officers who spend time with local farmers to understand their needs and requirements, the training of local animal health workers who can provide support to livestock keepers in remote areas (where access to professional veterinary services are limited), production of a range of practical guides and health manuals addressing relevant veterinary health-care issues, and direct personal interactions with stake-holders through workshops/seminars and NVRI open days. In the past NVRI has also used radio programmes in a number of local languages - Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo on FCRN Kaduna, Ibadan and Enugu respectively - to reach livestock keepers across the country (and indeed the broader region with feedback coming from as far afield as Ghana!). NVRI also disseminates information on research, livestock health and production via publication of its annual reports, seminar series and CAB-archived Vom Journal of Veterinary Science. Additionally, these reports are transmitted to the OIE via the nation's Chief Veterinary Officer.