From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Dr Shadrach Akpem, a veterinarian and founder of Vet Konect Ltd, a digital animal health firm, has vowed to tap into Benue State’s livestock potential. He aims to help farmers succeed in livestock production.
Speaking to reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, Akpem shared his vision.
Last month, from 21-22 March 2025, the first Benue State Livestock Summit took place. Vet Konect Ltd organised it with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Benue State Chapter, the Association of Private Veterinary Medical Practitioners, and the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Benue State Chapter. The Benue State Government backed it through the Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control.
Akpem said Vet Konect and its partners want to make Benue a leader in livestock sufficiency, boosting the state’s economy and sustainability. He revealed a new partnership with Afrimash, an e-commerce platform, to supply farmers with top-quality inputs for better output.
Calling the summit a key moment for the industry, Akpem said Vet Konect was proud to help make it happen. “It was a turning point, an awakening to the immense potential of livestock farming and a call to action for all stakeholders to reimagine its future,” he noted.
He explained that Vet Konect started with a goal to rethink animal healthcare and livestock management using tech, innovation, and teamwork.
“In co-creating the livestock sector, challenges like the high cost of inputs, disease outbreaks, lack of access to veterinary services, climate change threatening our livestock, and policy gaps were palpable gaps we all related to. But we did not just see problems; we saw opportunities to create solutions,” he said.
Akpem highlighted Nigeria’s livestock sector’s challenges and chances. “On one hand, we see the growing demand for livestock products and the immense potential for exports, and on the other, we face security threats, climate change disruptions, and limited access to critical resources,” he added.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, led by Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, for opening new doors to unlock the sector’s wealth for the nation.