The Animal Welfare Club of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has hosted a one-day seminar to promote animal welfare research in Nigeria.
The event, themed “Promoting Progress in Animal Welfare Research in Nigeria: A Multidisciplinary Approach,” was held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Department of Animal Science laboratory, OAU Campus, Ile-Ife.
The hybrid seminar brought together experts, professors, doctors, and students from within and outside Nigeria. Speakers included Prof. Frederico Vieira, UFAW Development Officer; Dr. Stephen Wickens; and agricultural economics expert Dr. Temitope Ojo, who all delivered their lectures virtually.
Speaking with Amiloaded, the Chief Host of the seminar, Professor Bukola Oyebanji, explained that the seminar was organized to explore multidisciplinary approaches to animal welfare, extending beyond the preservation of animal sciences or veterinary medicine.
She noted that the seminar gathered speakers from diverse fields such as arts, economics, social sciences, NGOs, and law, offering participants a variety of perspectives on animal welfare.
Commenting on the key takeaways, Prof. Bukola highlighted the absence of a specialized animal welfare policy in Nigeria, which she said needs urgent attention—especially with the recent establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. She called for a harmonized animal welfare law.
Prof Bukola emphasized the importance of treating animals well and noted the lack of research on the economic aspects of animal welfare in Nigeria. She called on researchers to deepen their work to advance animal welfare initiatives in the country.
Affirming that animal welfare is a collective responsibility, Prof. Bukola advocated for increased collaboration to protect animals and push animal welfare into the mainstream in Nigeria.
In her remarks, Professor Adeola Oluwabiyi from the Department of International Law, OAU, and Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ilesa, described the program as an excellent seminar. She expressed concern over the lack of an all-encompassing animal welfare law in Nigeria, which she said poses a major challenge. Prof. Adeola urged the government to take swift action to establish a viable legal framework for animal welfare.
She pointed out that existing fragmented laws on animal welfare are outdated and called for updated legislation that reflects current realities. Prof Adeola encouraged participants to reflect on the seminar’s outcomes and work towards developing policy documents to advance animal research.
In his contribution, Associate Professor Jare Oladosu from the Department of Philosophy, OAU, observed that the seminar addressed several gray areas in animal welfare research. He encouraged attendees to take their obligations to animals seriously to avoid violations and breaches of animal rights.
Prof. Jare added that the seminar would aid in designing methods to prevent animal rights violations and urged participants to pursue graduate programs in animal sciences to fill the gap in animal welfare research.
Dr. Adenike Adeyemi, a senior lecturer in the Department of Animal Science, OAU, described the seminar as an eye-opening program enriched by perspectives from various disciplines. She noted that the seminar’s outcomes would help participants harness the best approaches to animal welfare.
Dr. Adenike encouraged participants to prioritize animal welfare, emphasizing the importance of providing animals with the right environment for effective research.
Also speaking, Oluwadamilare Ekundayo, a founding member of the Animal Welfare Club, OAU Chapter, and Founder of YTOP Global, described the program as a success. He urged participants to act on the lessons learned from the seminar and to engage more actively in animal welfare advocacy.
He emphasized that those unable to care for animals should refrain from discussing their productivity.
Testimony, President of the Animal Welfare Club, OAU Campus, remarked that the seminar opened her eyes to the laws governing animal welfare in Nigeria. She assured that she would apply the knowledge gained to improve animal welfare practices.
