You are welcome to the website of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), a body charged with the responsibility of coordinating and overseeing the practice of the Veterinary profession in Nigeria. These include determining what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to be registered as Veterinary Surgeons under the enabling act (Decree No. 37 of 1969 and Decree No 40 [Amendment] of 1987) and raising the standards from time to time as circumstances may permit. In accordance with the act the Council is also empowered to establish and maintain a Register of persons registered under the act as Veterinary Surgeons and to publish the list of people so registered from time to time.

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) is essentially a quality assurance organ of the Federal Republic of Nigeria established through the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1969 as amended by the Veterinary Surgeons Amendment Act of 1987.  It is a Parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources created for the sole purpose of regulating the Standard of Training and Practice of the Veterinary Profession in the Country.  This it does through the following ways:

• it gives approval to Schools for the training of Veterinary Surgeons after ensuring they have the requisite human and material infrastructure;
• it monitors such approved schools through regular Accreditation and Examination Observation visits to ensure that standards are not only being maintained, but that they are also being improved upon;
• it determines the standard of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to be registered as Veterinary Surgeons and raises those standards from time to time as the circumstances permit;
• it registers and maintains a register of persons qualified to practice as Veterinary Surgeons;
• it conducts Registration Examinations in respect of candidates who did not pass through approved schools, but whose Curriculum Council believes may offer adequate training to confer on the graduates of such schools appropriate knowledge and skills to qualify them to register as Veterinary Surgeons;
• it determines the standard and registers Premises allowed for the practice of Veterinary Medicine and maintains a register of such Premises; and
• ensures that all registered Veterinary Surgeons remain ethical, law abiding and are continually improving their professional knowledge and skills through a regular peer-approved Professional Continuing Education.

Financial Provision

Section 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1969 as amended by the Amendment Act of 1987 allows the Council to maintain a fund from which all its expenses shall be defrayed.  This fund is to be maintained by such moneys as may be provided by the Federal Government by way of grants and such other moneys that may accrue to the Council through its activities.  In other words, Council is allowed to generate its revenue and utilize it for its activities in addition to grants from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Veterinarians have a major part to play in animal and human health of any nation. Apart from their training, appropriate monitoring and oversight ultimately enhances their performance. The Council therefore continues to ensure high standards of professionalism, dedication and hard work for the overall development and growth of the profession in particular and Nigeria in general.

This site provides insight into the salient activities of the council. It makes available, for the benefit of the general public the updated version of The Veterinary Register. Visit About Us for fundamental and historical information as well as the Council's enabling legislature. Apart from the section on Council Members and other information, Veterinary Surgeons can look through the publications provided or choose to avail themselves of e-mail services provided at 'VCN Mail'. It is hoped that the site would ultimately improve the lot of the Veterinary profession in Nigeria. Enjoy your visit.