The Association of Nigerian Veterinary and Allied Industrialists has appointed Dr Adebayo Kolade as Interim Director-General, with a mandate to advance members’ interests, drive trade facilitation initiatives, and strengthen industry self-regulation.
ANVAI announced the appointment in a statement jointly signed by National Secretary Dr Tunji Nasir and Chairman of the Transition Committee Dr Yila Umaru, following a special general meeting held in December 207ntry.
According to the statement, ANVAI recently commenced an organisational renewal process in the last quarter of 2025, which it said would “culminate in the rapid expansion of its membership base nationwide.”
It added that the new leadership would focus on achieving early wins in engagement with key regulators, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
The statement noted, “The Interim Director General has been saddled with the task of driving the strategic change process initiated by the leadership of the association, including the take-off of trade facilitation initiatives and activities for members.”
ANVAI further said Kolade would articulate a peer regulation framework for members and defend industry standards, while ensuring that the collective interests of practitioners in the animal health value chain are protected and promoted.
The association stressed that strengthening internal regulation and improving market access for members remained central to its reform agenda.
As part of the assignment, ANVAI said the Interim DG would work closely with the association’s leadership and other stakeholders to rebrand the body, and, if necessary, rename it to better reflect its charter as the umbrella association of animal health industry practitioners in Nigeria.
“The Interim DG is expected to work with the leadership and all stakeholders to rebrand, and where necessary, rename the association to better reflect its mandate,” the statement said.
Kolade holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Ibadan and has over 27 years of professional experience spanning multiple segments of Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.
He previously served as Head of Training and Head of Corporate Communications at Animal Care Services Konsult, Ogere Remo. He also worked as Chief Operating Officer and later Executive Director (Operations) at Zygosis Nigeria Limited, Lagos.
In addition to his corporate experience, Kolade anchors a weekly live radio programme, Agric Desk, and has conducted training programmes for farmers across different parts of the country.
He is an active member of professional bodies, including the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and the Poultry Association of Nigeria.
ANVAI expressed confidence that his industry exposure and stakeholder engagement experience would support the association’s efforts to deepen regulatory collaboration, improve trade outcomes for members, and uphold professional standards within Nigeria’s animal health industry.
