Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha.

The Federal Government has pledged to upgrade laboratories, workshops, and other critical infrastructure at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, Plateau State, as part of its renewed hope agenda.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the commitment during a visit to the over 100-year-old institute on Friday. He said the facility’s outdated equipment requires urgent modernisation to support the ongoing National Livestock Transformation Programme in Wase Local Government Area.

“The institute plays a key role in vaccine production, disease control, and surveillance. Despite operating with obsolete tools, the staff have remained resilient,” Maiha said.

He also decried the institute’s poor funding, noting it currently receives only 50% of its financial needs. He assured that under the new ministry’s mandate, NVRI would be empowered to meet Nigeria’s growing vaccine and livestock health demands.