Evaluation of Veterinary Services Delivery to Nomadic Pastoralists in Niger State

This study evaluates the reach and adequacy of formal veterinary services to nomadic Fulani pastoralists in Niger State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone. Nomadic pastoralists represent a significant proportion of Nigeria's livestock producers and are among the least served by formal veterinary infrastructure due to mobility, limited integration with extension systems, and geographic inaccessibility. Using a professional service delivery evaluation design, structured interviews were conducted with 100 nomadic pastoralist household heads and 30 veterinary extension officers in Niger State. A modified service quality (SERVQUAL) framework was adapted for pastoral veterinary service assessment, evaluating reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangibles. Animal health management calendars were reconstructed for 50 herds through retrospective recall. Findings revealed that nomadic pastoralists received formal veterinary services an average of 1.2 times per year, predominantly during mass vaccination campaigns rather than individualised health management interactions. Herd owners reported low trust in government veterinary services due to perceived inadequacy and infrequency of contact. Community-based animal health workers served as the primary animal health resource for 68 percent of interviewed herds. The study recommends the development of mobile veterinary services specifically designed for nomadic populations, integration of pastoralist representation in veterinary service planning committees, and GPS-based tracking of herd movements to support extension scheduling in Niger State. Keywords: veterinary services, nomadic pastoralists, Niger State, service delivery, mobile veterinary.