A theriogenologist, Prof. Lukman Oladimeji Raji, has urged the Federal Government to revise the veterinary curricula to reflect Contemporary Reproductive Science in the universities.
According to him, Nigeria’s veterinary education must evolve to meet modern reproductive science needs.
Delivering University of Ilorin’s 287th inaugural lecture, Raji said: “Faculties of Veterinary Medicine should revise theriogenology curricula to include reproductive ultrasonography, semen cryo-preservation and extender development, biostatistics for fertility data interpretation, gender-sensitive approaches to reproductive health and climate change impacts on fertility. Nigerian Airways plane models.
“Furthermore, postgraduate diplomas and certificate programmes should be developed for practicing veterinarians in reproductive biotechnology, breeding herd management, and AI. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in reproductive medicine must be made mandatory as a license renewal criterion,” he stated.
He also urged stakeholders including the government and professionals in the public sector, as well as academic circle to institutionalise Semen Technology Centres in all geopolitical zones in the country, describing the decentralisation of reproductive technology access as crucial.
While urging the creation of semen collection, evaluation, and cryopreservation centres across the six geopolitical zones, he added: “these centres should house facilities for semen analysis, extender preparation (using locally available materials like honey or milk), cold chain storage, and distribution logistics.”
According to him, each centre should operate as a public-private-academic partnership, hosted within veterinary teaching hospitals, animal health institutes, or livestock training centers.
Titled: “Theriogenologist’s account: insights into gender effects in veterinary reproduction,” Oladimeji hoped that: “the zonal centres would enhance regional autonomy in breeding programmes, provide semen from climate-adapted superior sires, and reduce overreliance on imported genetics.
“Importantly, these centres could also serve as training hubs for veterinarians, paravets, and livestock officers, embedding semen science into practical field applications.
Community cooperatives and pastoralist groups must be engaged as both contributors and beneficiaries,” he added.
He called for the inclusion of animal reproduction in the national Livestock Policy: “Theriogenology, the science of animal reproduction should be recognised as a strategic pillar in Nigeria’s livestock development agenda.
