As Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) marks its 63rd anniversary, it is only fitting to pay special tribute to one of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s (ABUVET) distinguished alumni, the late Dr Mohammed Dantani (Dandio) Saidu—whom I fondly called “the Country Vet.”
My association with him dates back to 1979, when I served as the Zonal Veterinary Officer in his hometown, Birnin Kebbi. At that time, he was a clinical-year veterinary student at Ahmadu Bello University, undertaking his vacation fieldwork at the veterinary clinic under my supervision. Even as a student, he distinguished himself by his intelligence, determination, and genuine eagerness to learn.
Dr Mohammed graduated as the best student in his class from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980, earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. He later obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan, became aFellow College of Veterinary Surgeons Nigeria (FCVSN) and completed numerous professional training programs that further enriched his expertise.
He began his professional career with the Sokoto State Civil Service, later transferring to Kebbi State, and eventually joining the Federal Department of Livestock and Pest Control Services—where our paths crossed again. A consummate field veterinarian, he combined strong theoretical grounding with extensive practical experience and a touch of boldness of a true country vet. This rare blend of qualities empowered him to confront and overcome even the most demanding field challenges with confidence and success.
Although he initially served in the Planning Unit of the Federal Department of Livestock, the outbreak of Avian Influenza in 2006 steered him back to his true calling—field veterinary service—where he once again distinguished himself with dedication and excellence.
I assumed office as Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria in December 2005. Barely a month later, on a quiet January morning, I received an urgent call from a senior academic on sabbatical at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He went straight to the point, informing me that he suspected a case of Avian Influenza on a poultry farm in Kaduna State. When I asked how certain he was, his reply was measured but confident—he was fairly sure, though laboratory confirmation would, of course, be required in accordance with OIE (now World Organisation for Animal Health) standards.
That call set in motion one of the most intense public health responses I had ever led. I immediately contacted the Executive Director of the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, who promptly dispatched a diagnostic team to the farm. The team collected samples, and their findings confirmed what we had feared—the presence of Avian Influenza for the first time in Nigeria and Africa.
Following international protocol, additional samples were forwarded to the OIE (now WOAH) Reference Laboratory in Padova, Italy, which later confirmed the virus as H5N1. I immediately briefed the Minister of Agriculture, who, in turn, informed the President. The following day, after the Federal Executive Council meeting, Nigeria officially announced the outbreak to the world. And all hell broke loose for the Veterinary service of Nigeria.
With that confirmation, the Department swiftly established a Veterinary National Incident Command Structure (ICS) to coordinate and manage the response across all levels of government. The structure was aligned with the National Emergency Preparedness Plan, ensuring a clear chain of command and defined roles for rapid decision-making and operational efficiency.
I served as the National Incident Leader, responsible for overall coordination and strategic direction. Dr Mohammedwas the Head of Field Operations, bringing to the role his deep practical knowledge, courage, and field-tested leadership. He was supported by a core team of senior professionals who oversaw outbreaks investigations, surveillance, depopulation, decontamination, and compensation processes.
The ICS was guided by Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that ensured consistency nationwide. All suspected outbreaks fitting the AI case definition were sampled, with specimens sent to NVRI for prompt testing. Affected farms were immediately quarantined, and once results were confirmed positive, Dr Mohammed and his team were deployed to execute depopulation and decontamination, while simultaneously compiling data for compensation payments to affected farmers.
Dr Mohammed’s first assignment involved the depopulation and decontamination of the quarantined farm in Kaduna, where the index case had been confirmed. Upon completion, he proceeded immediately to Kano, where the initial epidemiological investigation had traced the source of the infection.
Kano state high poultry density, vibrant live bird markets, and extensive trade networks created ideal conditions for disease amplification and made containment particularly challenging. Consequently, the state became the operational hub for both veterinary and medical response teams.
Under Dr Mohammed’s leadership, the field response was both disciplined and decisive. He led from the front—personally overseeing containment operations in some of the most difficult areas. His hands-on leadership was instrumental in cleaning up Kano State, which had quickly become the epicentre of the outbreak.
The experience in Kano offered invaluable lessons in biosecurity, early detection, inter-agency collaboration, and risk communication. It reshaped Nigeria’s preparedness and response strategies for transboundary animal diseases and led to the establishment of additional teams—each supervised by Dr Mohammed —to replicate the successful containment model across other affected states.
The Avian Influenza (AI) response team also maintained constant engagement with the international community, often participating in technical consultations and strategy discussions. From the outset, it was clear that our team needed to make a formal presentation to the Medical team and the International community at the Avian Influenza Crisis Management Centre, explaining the rationale for adopting a modified stamping-out strategy to control Avian Influenza, which was confined mainly to commercial farms. It was agreed that I would serve as moderator, with Dr Ibrahim Gashash-Head of Epidemiology delivering the presentation and Dr Mohammed leading the ensuing discussions. The presentation demonstrated that our strategy was grounded in evidence-based risk analysis and scientific principles, while the ensuing discussions helped to further clarify the team’s reasoning and approach.
Dr Mohammed was assertive—and at times, delightfully combative—when he felt strongly about an issue. In general his body language often spoke louder than words, like a storm gathering on the horizon, becoming a sort of early warning signal within the team. During heated scientific debates, it wasn’t uncommon for a member to lean over and whisper to me, “Sir, he’s coming,” prompting me to step in—or gently apply the brakes on him—if I sensed that his passion, though sincere, might not serve our case at that moment. Those who worked closely with Dr Mohammed know exactly what I’m talking about.
An incident that best illustrates his brilliance and chutzpah occurred at the Avian Influenza Crisis Management Centre during a high-level meeting chaired by two Ministers (Healthand Agriculture) and attended by several internationalofficials. A debate ensued between our team and a member of the medical team, who claimed that a human tissue sample collected for Avian Influenza testing could not be analysedbecause it was preserved in formalin.
Dr Mohammed firmly disagreed, dismissing the claim asnonsense. He proceeded to explain, with authority, how such samples could indeed be examined, citing his postgraduate research at the University of Ibadan, where he analysedformalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. To reinforce his point, he referred to his former supervisor, the now late Professor T. U. Obi—who, coincidentally, was present at the meeting as the head of the FAO team. Without hesitation, Prof Obi confirmed Dr Mohammed’s claim.
The room fell silent. The medical team eventually conceded, admitting that they simply lacked the necessary reagents. Dr Mohammed, at his best and unyielding—and with a hint of mischief—twisted the knife, replying, “But you said it cannot be done.” His composure, depth of knowledge, and professional confidence that day left a lasting impression on everyone present.
So, when the World Bank–funded Nigeria Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project was established, Dr Mohammed was the natural choice for Project Manager. The project’s primary objective was to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) through early detection and rapid response, while strengthening preparedness for potential pandemics. Its overarching goal was to safeguard both the poultry industry and public health. Under Dr Mohammed’s management, the project successfully achieved all its objectives.
Through his leadership, dedication, and professionalism, DrMohammed embodied the true spirit of a “country veterinarian”—courageous, skilled, and unwavering in his commitment to safeguarding animal and public health in Nigeria. His contributions were pivotal to Nigeria’s success in eradicating Avian Influenza then—an accomplishment that many observers had considered extremely difficult to achieve.
Though Dr Mohammed passed away in 2012, his legacy lives on in Nigeria’s strengthened veterinary services, enhanced emergency preparedness, and in the countless professionals he mentored and inspired. His life remains a lasting testament to integrity, excellence, and patriotism in the veterinary profession.
May Allah forgive his trespasses and reward him with Aljannat Firdausi.
