Lagos Unveils Nigeria’s First Tele-Veterinary Call Centre, Expands Access to Animal Healthcare

Lagos Unveils Nigeria’s First Tele-Veterinary Call Centre, Expands Access to Animal Healthcare

Lagos State has recorded another major milestone with the launch of TELE-VET, Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Centre designed to provide quick, affordable, and expert animal healthcare services through mobile technology.

The initiative, introduced by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, was unveiled at the State Animal Hospital, Oko-Oba, Agege.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, described TELE-VET as a revolutionary step that will strengthen animal health systems, enhance food safety, and drive agricultural innovation across Lagos and the country at large. She stressed that with technology reshaping global food systems, Lagos under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to digital solutions that improve efficiency, empower farmers, and protect public health.

Olusanya explained that the platform was created to tackle long-standing challenges faced by farmers and pet owners—particularly the difficulty in accessing timely, professional veterinary care. TELE-VET integrates existing mobile platforms, M-Agric and M-Health, available on MTN and Glo networks, which already offer daily expert tips and animal-care guidance.

By dialing *20791#, users can subscribe to the service for ₦100 per day, ₦300 per week, or ₦500 per month, gaining immediate access to a range of services. All active subscribers will be able to call the TELE-VET Centre at no additional cost.

According to the Commissioner, the Call Centre provides emergency support, first-aid instructions, disease-prevention information, and both livestock and pet-care assistance. She noted that the service will reduce costs for farmers, save time, and offer expert guidance without the need for long-distance travel. TELE-VET will also strengthen surveillance and early detection of zoonotic diseases, supporting the global One World, One Health framework that links human, animal, and environmental health.

Olusanya added that the platform will pave the way for further innovations such as livestock and pet health insurance, e-commerce for veterinary products, improved animal mobility solutions, and expanded financing for farmers—firmly positioning Lagos as a pioneer in tech-driven agricultural transformation.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, praised the project as a major step toward improving veterinary service delivery in Lagos. He said the Ministry has significantly invested in infrastructure, technology, and human resources to operate a world-class tele-veterinary centre.

Audu noted that the initiative is a strategic component of the state’s food security system, enabling better livestock health management and faster responses to disease outbreaks. He said the platform will help reduce animal losses, improve farm management, and provide real-time advisory services across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs.

He assured that TELE-VET will continue to be upgraded to enhance its efficiency and expand available services, urging residents to take full advantage of the platform.

Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Rasheed Macaulay, described the launch as the beginning of a new era in veterinary care in Lagos. He said TELE-VET addresses key challenges such as limited veterinary manpower, delayed emergency response, and difficulty reaching farmers in remote areas by connecting users directly with certified experts.

Macaulay added that the platform will significantly improve disease surveillance and reporting across the state, enabling early detection of animal diseases and preventing zoonotic infections. With real-time consultations and better documentation, the service will enhance the work of frontline veterinarians and contribute to safer, healthier food systems for Lagos residents.