Evaluation of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostic Capacity in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria

This study evaluates the diagnostic capacity of government veterinary laboratories in Adamawa State, located in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Accurate and timely laboratory diagnosis is foundational to effective disease surveillance, targeted treatment, and vaccination programme design, yet the diagnostic capacity of government veterinary laboratories in many Northern Nigerian states has deteriorated due to funding deficits and equipment failures. Using a professional laboratory capacity assessment framework adapted from WHO and OIE standards, four government veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Adamawa State were assessed. Assessment domains included equipment availability and functionality, reagent and consumable supply chain, trained personnel availability, biosafety infrastructure, quality management systems, and turnaround time for priority disease diagnoses. Interviews with 25 laboratory scientists and veterinary diagnosticians supplemented the facility assessments. Proficiency testing samples for Newcastle disease, Salmonella spp., and Haemonchus contortus were submitted to assess diagnostic accuracy. Findings revealed that no assessed laboratory fully met OIE Tier 1 diagnostic capacity standards. Functional ELISA readers were available in only one laboratory. Biosafety cabinets were non-functional in three of four facilities. Proficiency testing revealed correct diagnosis achieved in 62 percent of viral samples and 71 percent of bacterial samples, with parasitological accuracy at 84 percent. The study recommends targeted equipment rehabilitation, staff competency refresher programmes, consumable supply chain formalisation, and establishment of a quality management system in all Adamawa State veterinary laboratories. Keywords: veterinary diagnostics, laboratory capacity, Adamawa State, OIE standards, diagnostic accuracy.