Monday, December 8, 2025 - Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, has launched TELE-VET, Nigeria’s first tele-veterinary call centre, marking a groundbreaking milestone set to transform access to expert animal health care using mobile technology.
Speaking at the event held at Lagos State Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Systems, Animal Hospital, Oko-Oba, Agege, Commissioner for
Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, described TELE-VET as a
transformative initiative that strengthens animal health systems, improves food
safety and accelerates agricultural innovation across the state and beyond.
She said technology continued to redefine global food systems, and Lagos, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, remained committed to deploying digital solutions that enhanced efficiency, empowered farmers and safeguarded public health.The commissioner said TELE-VET addressed long-standing challenges faced by farmers and pet owners, especially limited access to timely and professional veterinary care.
Ms. Olusanya highlighted that TELE-VET built on the existing
mobile platforms, M-Agric and M-Health, available on MTN and Glo networks,
which provided daily expert tips, mentorship and animal-care guidance.
By dialing *20791#, users can subscribe for N100/day,
N300/week, or N500/month, gaining instant access to a variety of services,
while all active subscribers can access the Call Centre free of charge.
She said the Call Centre would deliver emergency support,
first-aid guidance, disease-prevention information and livestock and pet care
assistance, noting that the platform helped farmers reduce costs, save time and
access expert care without travelling long distances.
She said TELE-VET would also enhance surveillance and early
detection of zoonotic diseases, aligning with the One World, One Health
framework that integrated human, animal and environmental health.
The commissioner says TELE-VET sets the stage for future
innovations, including livestock and pet health insurance, e-commerce for
veterinary products, improved mobility for safe animal transport, and enhanced
financing opportunities for farmers, positioning Lagos as a national leader in
technology-driven agricultural transformation.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, hailed the initiative as a groundbreaking
intervention that would improve service delivery within the state’s veterinary
ecosystem.
He says TELE-VET responds to the evolving needs of farmers
and pet owners who require swift and professional support to enhance
productivity and ensure animal well-being.
Audu noted that the ministry had invested extensively in
strengthening the infrastructure, technical systems, and human resources needed
to operate a world-class veterinary call centre.
He said the service was a strategic investment in Lagos
State’s food security architecture, enabling efficient livestock health
management and timely response to potential disease outbreaks.
The permanent secretary said the Call Centre would minimise
animal losses, improve farm management practices, and provide timely advisory
services to farmers, aligning with the ministry’s mandate to promote
sustainable agricultural practices across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs.
He praised the collaboration among veterinary professionals,
ICT partners, and technical teams that made the initiative possible.
Audu reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to continuously
upgrading the TELE-VET platform to accommodate innovations that improved
efficiency and expanded service offerings.
He encouraged residents to adopt the platform fully, noting
that its success depended on widespread participation.
The Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Rasheed Macaulay,
said the launch of TELE-VET marked a new era in veterinary care delivery in
Lagos State. He said the platform provided a practical solution to challenges
such as limited manpower, delayed emergency response, and difficulties reaching
farmers in remote areas by connecting residents directly to certified experts.
Macaulay added that TELE-VET would strengthen disease
surveillance and reporting across the state, aiding early detection of animal
diseases and preventing zoonotic infections.
With real-time consultations, improved documentation, and
faster escalation processes, the platform will support frontline veterinarians
and promote safer, healthier food systems for all Lagos residents.
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