By Ed O. Mike
Lagos State, Nigeria — October 7, 2025
A devastating outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has struck Oke-Aro Pig Farm, located on the Lagos–Ogun border, causing massive losses for farmers. Thousands of pigs have died within days, forcing farmers to take emergency measures to save what they can.
Oke-Aro is West Africa’s largest pig farm, spanning over 30 hectares, housing thousands of pigs, and supporting thousands of farmers. It has long been a critical supplier of pork across Lagos, Ogun, and neighboring states. Despite the outbreak, the farm remains operational, though farmers report severe losses.
Farmers Face Heavy Losses
Many farmers have lost 20 to 30 mature pigs, which the disease seems to target first.“We can’t survive another round like this,” said a farmer, watching as healthy and sick pigs mingle in the pens. “We’re trying to save what we can, but the losses are devastating.”
Farmers report having to kill some pigs early to recover partial value and prevent further spread. The financial impact is severe, with many relying entirely on pig farming for their livelihood.
African Swine Fever: A Persistent Threat
African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. The virus has no cure or vaccine and can survive for months in pork products, soil, and equipment. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, reddish or purplish skin, weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Once symptoms appear, death is almost certain.
ASF is harmless to humans, but it devastates pig populations, threatening both farmers’ income and regional food security.
Historical Context: Oke-Aro and Nigeria
ASF has recurred in Nigeria for decades:
The first recorded outbreak was in 1997.
Between 2016 and 2019, over 60 outbreaks occurred across the country.
In 2020, Nigeria experienced one of its worst ASF crises, killing over 145,000 pigs at Oke-Aro and causing billions of naira in losses.
Oke-Aro’s dense farming environment, shared resources, and high pig population make it especially vulnerable to recurring ASF outbreaks.
Regional and Global Impact
ASF is not unique to Nigeria. The disease has affected pig populations globally:
China (2018–2019): Over 200 million pigs lost, triggering global pork price spikes.
Vietnam (2019): Over 6 million pigs culled to contain the disease.
Eastern Europe and Russia: Endemic ASF causes recurring outbreaks.
Philippines (2025): Thousands of pigs culled after recent outbreaks.
The recurring nature of ASF highlights the challenges of eradication and the importance of biosecurity measures.
Response and Containment Efforts
Oke-Aro management is enforcing strict biosecurity measures, while veterinary officers monitor the outbreak. Farmers are advised to:
Separate sick pigs from healthy ones.
Maintain strict hygiene in feeding and water channels.
Report new cases immediately to veterinary authorities.
Livestock experts have urged the government to provide compensation, rapid testing facilities, and farmer education programs to prevent further losses and contain the outbreak.
Economic Consequences
The outbreak threatens Nigeria’s pork supply:
Traders, butchers, feed suppliers, and transporters are already feeling the impact.
Pork prices may rise sharply across Lagos and Ogun markets.
Repeated outbreaks could destabilize the local protein supply and reverse years of recovery for farmers.
ASF continues to pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of farmers at Oke-Aro and across the region, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance, improved biosecurity, and government support.
Oke-Aro Pig Farm remains operational, but the outbreak has devastated farmers’ herds, particularly mature pigs. The recurrence of ASF in Nigeria highlights the ongoing vulnerability of pig farming, the urgent need for biosecurity measures, and the importance of government and international support to mitigate losses and prevent future outbreaks.
“We can’t survive another round like this,” said a farmer, watching the pens. “We’re trying to save what we can, but the losses are devastating.”
