Professor Abdulkadir Usman Junaidu, DVM, MPH, PhD, FCVSN, Professor of Veterinary Public Health at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has been elected Provost of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria (CVSN), the premier postgraduate professional institution responsible for specialist veterinary training and advancement of veterinary practice in Nigeria.
The result of the election was announced in Abuja by the Electoral Committee chaired by Professor Caleb Kudi, following an electoral process involving Fellows of the College from across Nigeria.
Professor Junaidu’s election followed a widely supported campaign anchored on the theme of repositioning the College for professional excellence, stronger specialist training, institutional development, national relevance and global competitiveness. His candidacy received significant endorsements from Fellows across the country and colleagues in the diaspora, reflecting broad confidence in his experience, leadership record and vision for the College.
A Mandate for Repositioning and Transformation
In accepting the mandate, Professor Junaidu expressed profound gratitude to the Fellows of the College for the confidence reposed in him, describing his election not merely as a personal achievement but as a collective responsibility to strengthen the College and advance specialist veterinary practice in Nigeria.
His administration will pursue an agenda centred on: strengthening postgraduate specialist and residency training and maintaining high professional standards;
reviewing and modernising training programmes to respond to contemporary and emerging veterinary challenges;
promoting research, innovation, digital transformation and evidence-based specialist practice; strengthening collaboration with universities, veterinary institutions, government agencies, professional bodies and international partners;
improving the visibility, recognition and relevance of Fellows within Nigeria and internationally; strengthening continuing professional development and mentorship for younger veterinarians and aspiring specialists; promoting the welfare and professional interests of Fellows; enhancing institutional governance, transparency, accountability and financial sustainability;
strengthening the contribution of veterinary specialists to One Health, food safety, food security, livestock transformation, zoonotic disease control and national development; and
fostering unity and inclusiveness across faculties, generations and geographical zones of the College.
Professor Junaidu emphasised that the College must continue to evolve as a strong, respected and forward-looking institution capable of producing veterinary specialists who can respond effectively to Nigeria’s changing animal health, public health, food security and livestock development needs.
Distinguished Record of Academic and Public Service
Professor Junaidu brings to the office extensive experience spanning academia, veterinary clinical and public health practice, research, university administration and government service.
He has served in several leadership capacities, including Head of Department, Deputy Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Director of the University Development Office, and Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. He has also held leadership responsibilities within the wider veterinary academic community.
In public service, he served Sokoto State as Commissioner responsible for Animal Health and Fisheries Development and, at various times, additional responsibilities in the agricultural sector.
His tenure was associated with major veterinary and livestock-development initiatives, including expansion of veterinary services, provision of veterinary equipment and mobility, establishment and strengthening of artificial insemination and embryo-transfer programmes, improvement of disease surveillance and annual vaccination programmes, pasture development, dairy development and rehabilitation of veterinary and abattoir infrastructure.
Among the initiatives undertaken was the establishment of veterinary presence across the 26 Local Government Areas and 87 districts of Sokoto State, strengthening of 24-hour veterinary services at the main veterinary clinic, development of an Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Centre with a liquid nitrogen facility, and securing land and approvals towards the establishment of a Veterinary Specialist Hospital.
Appreciation to Fellows
Professor Junaidu expressed his sincere appreciation to all Fellows of the College, including his teachers and mentors, senior colleagues, contemporaries and younger Fellows, for their encouragement, prayers, endorsements and votes throughout the electoral process.
He particularly acknowledged those who publicly endorsed his candidature from different parts of Nigeria and the diaspora, noting that their confidence places an even greater responsibility on the new leadership to deliver on its commitments.
He also commended the Electoral Committee under the leadership of Professor Caleb Kudi for its service to the College and thanked all those who contributed to the successful conduct of the election.
Professor Junaidu further called for unity after the election, stressing that the conclusion of the electoral process should mark the beginning of a collective effort to build a stronger College.
“The election is over, and the responsibility of building our College belongs to all of us. I accept this mandate with humility and a deep sense of responsibility. I am profoundly grateful to our teachers and mentors, senior colleagues, my contemporaries and our younger Fellows for the confidence reposed in me. Together, we must reposition the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria as a stronger, more visible, innovative and globally competitive institution that serves our profession, our country and society.”
He pledged to work closely with the Deputy Provost, Professor Olufunke Eunice Ola-Davies, the leadership and governing structures of the College, Faculties, Fellows and relevant stakeholders in implementing an inclusive and progressive agenda.
A New Chapter for the College
The new Provost called upon all Fellows, irrespective of their positions during the election, to join hands in building a College founded on excellence, professionalism, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity and service.
He reaffirmed that his administration would remain open to constructive ideas and partnerships, stressing that the strength of the College lies in the collective knowledge, experience and commitment of its Fellows.
Professor Junaidu concluded by thanking the entire veterinary profession, friends, colleagues, students, well-wishers and members of the public who sent congratulatory messages and offered prayers following his election.
“This mandate belongs to all Fellows. Together, we shall consolidate the achievements of our predecessors, address emerging challenges and take the College to greater heights.”
Signed:
Professor Abdulkadir Usman Junaidu, DVM, MPH, PhD, FCVSN
Provost
College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria
