Full text of the speech by Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, during the launch of Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Centre

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS, LAGOS STATE AT THE LAUNCH OF NIGERIA’S FIRST TELE-VETERINARY CALL CENTRE, HELD AT LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOODS SYSTEMS ANIMAL HOSPITAL,OKO-OBA, AGEGE, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, 5TH DECEMBER, 2025.

Protocols

It is my honour to welcome you all to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems Animal Hospital here in Agege, Lagos, as we gather to inaugurate a truly historic and transformative initiative — Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Centre, established through our strategic partnership with Etsu Digital Nigeria Ltd. This milestone marks a decisive step in strengthening animal health systems, improving food safety, and advancing agricultural innovation for millions of Nigerians.

Around the world, technology is rapidly reshaping the way we produce, protect, and consume food. Here in Lagos, under the visionary leadership of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, we remain fully committed to deploying digital tools that enhance efficiency, empower farmers, and protect public health. Today’s launch is a practical demonstration of that commitment.

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 Centrenow provides a groundbreaking solution to this longstanding gap. With this innovation, quick access to certified veterinary expertise becomes a reality for all.

This Tele-VET platform builds on two existing mobile-based services available on MTN and Glo networks:

I. M-Agric – delivering daily expert tips, mentorship, and value-chain training to farmers, with over ₦50 million already rewarded to beneficiaries nationwide; and

II. M-Health – a tele-veterinary companion offering practical, easy-to-understand guidance for livestock and pets.

By simply dialing *20791#, users across Lagos and Nigeria can subscribe and instantly access these services. What we unveil today goes even further by providing a live, fully operational call centre dedicated to real-time veterinary support.

The Centre, fully equipped and staffed by certified Lagos State Veterinary Consultants, will provide:

i. 24/7 emergency support,

ii. first-aid instructions,

iii. disease-prevention guidance, and

iv. professional veterinary advice for livestock, pets, and even crops.

This service is free to all active M-Agric and M-Health subscribers. And at just ₦100 per day, Nigerians can access expert support without long-distance travel, clinic queues, or prohibitive emergency costs. This is convenience. This is innovation. This is meaningful impact for farmers and households.

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. By improving disease surveillance and limiting the spread of zoonotic infections, the platform supports the global One World, One Healthframework, which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. Healthy animals mean higher yields, reduced losses, stronger livelihoods, and greater resilience — all central to Lagos State’s food security agenda.

This initiative also opens new pathways for innovation in the agricultural space. The Tele-Vet platform 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. 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.

I express my sincere appreciation to Etsu Digital Nigeria Limited for their collaboration and unwavering dedication to improving agricultural systems in Nigeria. I also commend our veterinary professionals, the Ministry’s team, and all stakeholders whose commitment has made this achievement possible. Their contributions ensure that Lagos State remains at the forefront of innovation and public service delivery.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the launch of Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Centre is a bold declaration of our resolve to build a smarter, healthier, and more resilient Lagos. This platform is for every farmer, every household, and every community — within and beyond Lagos — that depends on animals for livelihood, companionship, and nutrition.

I therefore encourage all farmers and pet owners to take full advantage of this service by dialing *20791# and subscribing to M-Agric or M-Health. Together, let us usher in a future where no farmer or pet owner loses an animal simply because help could not come on time.

Thank you for listening, and God bless you all.

Igbega Ipinle Eko, Ajumose Ni!

 

Ms. Abisola Olusanya

Honourable Commissioner

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems