Lagos unveils first Tele-Veterinary call-centre for pests, livestock

To increase livestock production and public health, the Lagos State Government has launched Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary call centre, offering immediate support for farmers and animal owners facing pets or livestock health issues.

Abisola Olusanya, commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, who commissioned the emergency call-centre on Friday at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems Animal Hospital, Oko-Oba, Agege, described it as historic and transformative.

This achievement is a major step toward strengthening animal health support and ensuring safer food for Nigerians through innovative technology, the minister said.

“Tele-VET is more than a digital helpline; it is a strategic tool for safeguarding public health, strengthening food safety, and boosting productivity across the agriculture sector,” she said.

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“By improving disease surveillance and limiting the spread of zoonotic infections, the platform supports the global One World, One Health framework, which recognises the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health,” she explained.

“Healthy animals mean higher yields, reduced losses, stronger livelihoods, and greater resilience — all central to Lagos State’s food security agenda,” she added.

Olusanya noted that the state has established the call centre in partnership with Etsu Digital Nigeria Ltd.

She stressed that globally, technology is rapidly reshaping the way food is produced, protected, and consumed, noting that the state remains fully committed to deploying digital tools that enhance efficiency, empower farmers and protect public health.

The commissioner affirmed that the launch is a practical demonstration of the state’s commitment to deploying technology in boosting food production and protecting public health.

“For years, farmers and pet owners — whether in urban centres or remote communities — have struggled to access timely, professional veterinary care.”

“The Tele-Veterinary call-centre now provides a groundbreaking solution to this longstanding gap. With this innovation, quick access to certified veterinary expertise becomes a reality for all.”

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Olusanya explained that the Tele-VET platform builds on two existing mobile-based services available on MTN and Glo networks -M-Agric and M-Health.

According to her, the M-Agric delivers daily expert tips, mentorship, and value-chain training to farmers, with over N50 million already rewarded to beneficiaries nationwide; and the M-Health, a tele-veterinary companion, offers practical, easy-to-understand guidance for livestock and pets.

“By simply dialling *20791#, users across Lagos and Nigeria can subscribe and instantly access these services,” she said.

“What we unveil today goes even further by providing a live, fully operational call centre dedicated to real-time veterinary support,” she added.

She noted that the centre, fully equipped and staffed by certified Lagos State Veterinary Consultants, provides 24/7 emergency support and first-aid instructions.

Other services are: disease-prevention guidance, and professional veterinary advice for livestock, pets, and even crops.

She says that the initiative also opens new pathways for innovation in the agricultural space, noting that it lays the foundation for future opportunities such as livestock and pet health insurance, e-commerce for animal services and products, improved mobility solutions for veterinary care, and enhanced access to financial support for farmers.

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“These possibilities reinforce Lagos State’s leadership in modern, technology-driven agricultural systems.”

“With this Call Centre in operation, we expect significant improvements across the sector — including reduced animal mortality, faster disease reporting, improved access to veterinary expertise across all communities, enhanced data for policy planning, and strengthened support for our veterinary hospitals and field operations.”

“From Ikorodu to Epe, from Surulere to Agege, and the entire length and breadth of Nigeria, this service will support farmers, pet owners, and animal health practitioners at every level.”

She appreciated Etsu Digital Nigeria for its collaboration and unwavering dedication to improving agricultural systems in Nigeria.

Josephine Okojie-Okeiyi is a journalist with over five years’ reporting experience. She writes on industry, agriculture, commodities, climate change, and environmental issues. She is fellow of Thomson Reuters Foundation and Bloomberg Media Initiative for Africa.

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