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Cassia occidentalis whole plant (C.O.W.P), Jatropha curcas leaves (J.C.L.), Ximenia americana Santalales leaves (X.A.L.), and Eucalyptus citriodora leaves (E.C.L.) have been revealed to be widely used by locals of north-western Nigeria for the management of asthma. This study was aimed at providing a pharmacological rationale for the ethnomedical use of these plants in the management of asthma. The four extracts were screened for their effects on the spontaneous contraction of isolated rabbit ileum strip; also on pre-contracted isolated guinea Pig ileum strip; on pre-contracted isolated Guinea Pig trachea chain; and on ovalbumin-induced peritoneal mast cell degranulation in Wistar rats. Ethanol extracts of C.O.W.P., E.C.L., J.C.L., and X.A.L. at 100 mg/mL remarkably relaxed spontaneous contractions of isolated rabbit ileum. Greatest relaxation was obtained with X.A.L. Ethanol extracts of C.O.W.P., E.C.L., J.C.L., and X.A.L. statistically significantly (p ≤ 0.05) inhibited histamine-induced contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum. In addition, the four extracts statistically significantly inhibited (p ≤ 0.05) histamine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig trachea. The ethanol leaves extracts of C. occidentalis and Jatropha curcas exhibited mast cell stabilizing effect in ovalbumin-induced rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation. However, Eucalyptus citriodora and Ximenia Americana did not protect against ovalbumin-induced rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation. C.O.W.P., E.C.L., J.C.L., and X.A.L all possess broncho-relaxant activity, while only C.O.W.P. and J.C.L. exhibited mast cell stabilizing activity in laboratory animals thus supporting the traditional use of the plant in inflammatory and allergic conditions including asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that mostly affects children less than 5years. Occasionally, it may presents with renal involvement of varying severity. In Nigeria and most of Africa, only a few cases of KD have been reported and these were among children within the typical age group. We report an unusual case of Kawasaki disease with renal manifestation in a 14 year old adolescent. Apart from the principal features of KD comprising of high grade fever, non purulent conjunctivitis, polymorphous rash, right sided cervical lymphadenitis and symmetrical desquamative lesions of the digits of the hands and feet; our patient also had renal involvement. The renal manifestations included mild periorbital edema, oliguria, hypertension (140/90mmHg), hematuria(++), proteinuria(++) and elevated serum urea and creatinine (8.3mmol/L and 1.9mg/dl respectively). He was managed with high dose aspirin at 80mg/kg/day. The dose was reduced (5mg/Kg/day) and subsequently stopped after serial echocardiography showed normal coronary arteries. Intravenous immune globuline (IVIG) could not be started due to non availability. Nevertheless, clinical signs resolved, renal function normalised after 6 weeks and echocardiographic picture did not deteriorate. Patient is currently on follow up at the paediatric cardiology clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto, Nigeria.. Conclusion: Kawasaki disease can occur even in older children and renal manifestation may be self limiting. This report highlights the need for high index of suspicion in all cases.

The persistent security challenges in North-Western Nigeria necessitate innovative and sustainable solutions that go beyond conventional military and policing efforts. This exploratory study examines the potential of fostering civic awareness and engagement as a strategy for addressing security challenges in North-Western Nigeria, a region plagued by banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and inter-communal violence, resulting in loss of lives, displacement, and socio-economic disruption. Despite security agencies' efforts, the region's security remains a significant concern. This study argues that enhancing civic awareness and engagement offers a crucial, yet often overlooked, path to sustainable peace and security. Using qualitative research through training workshops, post-training interviews, and focus group discussions in six affected communities in Katsina and Zamfara, the study employs thematic analysis to reveal that existing civic initiatives have been largely ineffective due to inadequate funding, poor coordination, and implementation. However, it identifies opportunities for building trust between security agencies and local communities, facilitating information sharing, and promoting peaceful coexistence. The study proposes strategies for fostering civic engagement, such as mobilizing key stakeholders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and youth groups and tailoring initiatives to the local context. It also addresses challenges like fear of retribution (revenge), illiteracy, and resource constraints, offering solutions to overcome them. This study contributes to the literature on civic engagement's role in security, providing insights and practical recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to promote sustainable peace and security in North-Western Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining strict biosecurity measures are essential in preventing disease spread from live bird markets (LBMs), which serve as a major intermingling area for poultry from different sources. This study evaluated the efficacy of disinfectants used in daily live bird markets of four north-western states in Nigeria. Seven different disinfectants were identified as commonly used in the LBMs. They were analysed by suspension and surface disinfection tests against standard strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Isolates from swab samples of birds’ cages in the LBMs were initially subjected to biochemical tests and, subsequently, susceptibility tests against commercial disinfectants. All of the 7 (100 %) disinfectants used in the LBMs killed/inhibited the growth of E. coli, S. Enteritidis, and S. aureus with the suspension test, while following the surface disinfection test, all 7 (100 %) killed/inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. Enteritidis but only 4 (57 %) killed/inhibited the growth of S. aureus. Seven (0.02 %) samples out of the 400 swabs were positive for E. coli comprising 1 (14 %), 2 (29 %), and 4 (57 %) from LBMs in Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano, respectively. There were varying growths of E. coli at different concentrations and exposure times. Six (17 %) of the LBMs sampled had and used disinfectants. E. coli was isolated from 1 (17 %) out of the 6 LBMs that had and used disinfectants and 5 (17 %) out of the 29 LBMs that did not have or use disinfect-ants. The standard organisms were most susceptible to orthobenzyl chlorophenol-based disinfectants and least susceptible to chlorophenol-based disinfectants. This study has shown the importance of the use of disinfect-ants in LBMs. There should be enforcement of disinfectants usage in LBMs for public safety.

Background and aims: Staphylococcus aureus, an important pathogen in bone diseases, is a highly multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterium. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance among S. aureus isolated from patients on admission in an orthopaedic hospital. Methods: In this cross-sectional research, 140 samples comprising urine samples, wound swabs, and nasal swabs were collected from 49 patients on admission. Samples were cultured and screened for S. aureus following standard procedures. Using the agar-disk diffusion method, the isolates were subjected to antibiotics susceptibility tests. Results: S. aureus were isolated from 26 (18.6%) samples, and wound swabs were found to have the highest number of the S. aureus isolates with 12 (46.2%). Among the 26 S. aureus isolated, 25 (96.2%) isolates were resistant to at least four or more of the tested antibiotics. There were 23 (88.5%) MDR isolates, while there were only 2 (7.6%) extensively drug resistant ones. The number of methicillin-resistant S. aureus were 17 (65.4% of the isolates), while the number of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus were 9 (34.6% of the isolates). A total of 22 (84.6%) isolates had multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) index greater than 0.2. Inducible clindamycin resistance of 2 (7.6%) was observed. Conclusion: This study showed that the S. aureus isolated from the patients were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Regular surveillance of antibiotic resistance is of utmost importance, since it facilitates the design or development of the treatment regimens that could check the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Cassia occidentalis whole plant (C.O.W.P), Jatropha curcas leaves (J.C.L.), Ximenia americana Santalales leaves (X.A.L.), and Eucalyptus citriodora leaves (E.C.L.) have been revealed to be widely used by locals of north-western Nigeria for the management of asthma. This study was aimed at providing a pharmacological rationale for the ethnomedical use of these plants in the management of asthma. The four extracts were screened for their effects on the spontaneous contraction of isolated rabbit ileum strip; also on pre-contracted isolated guinea Pig ileum strip; on pre-contracted isolated Guinea Pig trachea chain; and on ovalbumin-induced peritoneal mast cell degranulation in Wistar rats. Ethanol extracts of C.O.W.P., E.C.L., J.C.L., and X.A.L. at 100 mg/mL remarkably relaxed spontaneous contractions of isolated rabbit ileum. Greatest relaxation was obtained with X.A.L. Ethanol extracts of C.O.W.P., E.C.L., J.C.L., and X.A.L. statistically significantly (p = 0.05) inhibited histamine-induced contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum. In addition, the four extracts statistically significantly inhibited (p = 0.05) histamine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig trachea. The ethanol leaves extracts of C. occidentalis and Jatropha curcas exhibited mast cell stabilizing effect in ovalbumin-induced rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation. However, Eucalyptus citriodora and Ximenia Americana did not protect against ovalbumin-induced rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation. C.O.W.P., E.C.L., J.C.L., and X.A.L all possess broncho-relaxant activity, while only C.O.W.P. and J.C.L. exhibited mast cell stabilizing activity in laboratory animals thus supporting the traditional use of the plant in inflammatory and allergic conditions including asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risk of cardiac anomalies, both acquired and congenital, is high in children undergoing noncardiac surgeries. These cardiac anomalies are associated with increased risk of perioperative complications. Objectives: This study, therefore, determined the common indications as well as the echocardiographic findings findings in children undergoing noncardiac surgery in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study. The echocardiographic records of 25 children that underwent noncardiac surgery in AKTH over a 4 year period (from January 2015 to December 2018) were retrieved. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and the result was displayed using a frequency distribution table and bar chart. Results: There were 14 males and 11 females, with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The ages of the patients range from 5 days to 8 years (median age of 8 months). The most common indication for echocardiography is orofacial cleft (cleft lip and/or palate), followed by adenotonsillar hypertrophy. The overall cardiac anomaly was found in 28% of the patients, with the highest anomaly being the atrial septal defect. Conclusion: The prevalence of cardiac anomaly was high in children with noncardiac surgical conditions.

Background Stunting and severe wasting can co-occur in under-fives, predisposing them to increased risks for morbidity and mortality. The Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme, which provides outpatient malnutrition care for severely wasted children, has been successful at managing severe wasting, but there are limited data on stunting among entrants into these programmes. Methods We performed secondary analysis of data collected from attendees of two CMAM centres in north-western Nigeria. Using WHO reference standards, we determined the prevalence of concurrent stunting (height/length-for-age <-2 SD) among severely wasted children (weight-for-height z-scores <-3 SD). We identified individual and household-level risk factors for concurrent stunting using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Our cohort comprised 472 severely wasted children and the majority (82.8%) were stunted. Age groups of 12–23 mo (adjusted OR [AOR]=2.38, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.48) and 24–35 mo (AOR=7.81, 95% CI 1.99 to 30.67), male gender (AOR=2.51, 95% CI 1.43 to 4.39) and attending the rural malnutrition clinic (AOR=3.08, 95% CI 1.64 to 5.79) were associated with a significantly increased probability of stunting. Conclusions Stunting prevalence is high among severely wasted children attending CMAM programmes in north-western Nigeria. Policymakers need to adapt these treatment programmes to also cater for stunting, taking into account practical programmatic realities such as available expertise and scarce resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are variable reports of glycemic control and complications among patients living with diabetes mellitus (DM). Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the glycemic control and complications among patients with DM seen at the medical outpatient department of a tertiary health institution in Northwestern Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 236 patients attending DM Clinic at Federal Medical Centre Gusau. A questionnaire was administered that contains sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, duration of DM, adherence to management, and complications. Anthropometry, blood pressures, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Eighty-six (36%) males and 150 (64%) females patients with DM were evaluated. Their mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 53.5 ± 12.3 years with mean (SD) duration of DM of 7.9 ± 6.2 years. The mean FPG was 8.85 ± 3.8 mmol/L (males 8.21 ± 3.6, females 9.49 ± 3.8). Forty-seven (20%), 75 (32%), 113 (48%) of the patients had good, fair, and poor glycemic control, respectively. The major complications observed were peripheral neuropathy (61%) and visual impairment (51%). Glycemic control was significantly better among males and those with good adherence to medications. There was a positive association between the longer duration of DM with complications. Conclusion: Only 20% of our patients achieved good glycemic control and many have complications. Majority of the patients adhered more with medications as compared to dietary management and exercise. There is a need for clinicians to educate patients more on the need for lifestyle modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is disproportionately distributed mainly in developing countries. In Nigeria, the prevalence of SAM in the North-Western region of the country is significantly higher than the national average. In this study, we identified risk factors for SAM in North-Western Nigeria. Identifying such risk factors would be helpful in developing local preventive strategies and providing insights for broader SAM control programs in other high-burden country settings.Methods: We performed post hoc data analysis, comparing baseline socio-demographic and household-level risk factors in a cohort of 1011 children aged between 6 and 59 months who either had SAM or were well-nourished children. We defined nutritional status using the World Health Organization (WHO) reference standards and investigated the association between SAM and our identified risk factors using multivariable logistic regression model.Results: Children aged between 12 and 23 months [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.99-4.38], household who reared domestic animals (AOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.40-2.69) and those from polygamous households (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.33-2.74) had significantly increased odds of developing SAM. Parental education and being on the household diet reduced the odds of having SAM.Conclusions: Our findings suggest the need to develop optimal complementary feeding nutrition programs and promote adult and general education in our community. Cultural and feeding practices in local polygamous households also need further investigation to understand the association between polygamy with SAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deep-venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs is one of the most common causes of death caused by pulmonary embolism. Many medical and surgical disorders are complicated by DVT. B-mode and color Doppler imaging are needed for the early diagnosis of DVT to prevent complications and sequalae of DVT. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the role of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing DVT of lower limbs and to study the spectrum of findings in patients with DVT in Zaria. Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out on patients who had Venous Doppler Scan in the Department of Radiology ABUTH, Zaria, Nigeria, for suspected DVT over a period of 4 years from February 2014 to January 2018. Scans were done using DC-3 and DC-6 Mindray Ultrasound machines (2009 and 2013 Models, respectively, Shantou, China) coupled with high-frequency (7.5–12 MHz) linear and low-frequency curvilinear (2–5 MHz) transducers. Analysis of cases of DVT was performed in terms of age, sex, clinical features, predisposing conditions, anatomic distribution, stage, and pattern of thrombus involvement in the veins. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0 and value of P < 0.005 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 252 patients' results were reviewed which consisted of 122 males (48.4%) and 130 females (51.6%). The patients' ages ranged from 11 to 80 years, averaging 45.5 ± 9.56 years. The most common indication for Doppler request was leg swellings. The most common risk factor for DVT was malignancy (36%), cardiac disorders (18%), and traumas (14%). Sixty-six (61%) cases showed left-sided and 26 (24%) right-sided, whereas 16 (15%) cases showed bilateral lower limb involvement. Predominant thrombus was above-knee region with 54% in the superficial femoral vein. Chronic stage was seen in 46 (42%) cases, subacute in 44 (41%) cases, and acute in 18 (17%) cases. Conclusion: Middle–aged females, left-sided leg, and above-knee segment were predominantly affected with DVT; hence, this buttresses the need for Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of DVT in all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intends to explore the influence of social capital and SMEs factors on the performance of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging economy. The huge challenges that SMEs sector faced as a result of the difficulty in accessing finance, shortage of infrastructure, capital accumulation, inadequate personal savings, low level of experience, and innovative technology have motivated this study. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select 139 SMEs as a sample in the two States of North-Western Nigeria (Sokoto and Zamfara). The data for this study were gathered through the means of an online survey. Using the method of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) the findings indicated a significant positive influence amongst networking, technological innovation, and the number of employees with SMEs performance. However, trust has a significant negative relationship with SMEs performance. Accordingly, the findings reveal an inverse relationship between social ties and SMEs performance, which is insignificant in explaining the relationship. The study recommended an execution of social capital aspects and other SMEs factors through adoption of an application of effective strategy, for better outcomes in relation to the performance of SMEs in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Snake bite with envenomation is a medical emergency. Children are at risk of severe manifestations due to small body mass. Unlike adult population, there is limited data on snake bite among children in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria. We described the presentation and outcome of snake bite in children presenting to the Emergency Pediatric Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Materials and Methods: Case records of all children managed for snake bites from 1 st January 2003 to 31 st December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and other relevant information were retrieved and data analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: Out of 23,570 Pediatric admissions, 36 children had snake bites giving prevalence of 0.0015 (1.5/1000). Male: Female ratio was 1.6:1, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 9.6 ± 2.8 years (range = 1-14 years). Snakebites involved the lower limbs in 52.8%; and at home in 69.4%, and during the night in 58.3% of patients. The highest prevalence of bite was between April and July. Features of envenomation included local swelling (100%), prolonged clotting time (61.1%) and spontaneous hemorrhage (epistaxis and hematemesis) in 11.1%. One patient (2.8%) had seizure which may be incidental, though common causes such as hypoglycemia, malaria and meningitis were excluded by laboratory investigations. Polyvalent anti-snake venom was administered in 29 (80.6%) children, with adverse reaction observed in 13.8% (4/29) of the patients. Thirteen patients (36.1%) signed against medical advice while the remaining 23 (63.9%) were discharged home. Conclusion: Snake envenomation is associated with low morbidity and mortality in our study. Measures aimed at eliminating snake habitats around residential areas should be encouraged.

Aims and Objectives: Gestational choriocarcinoma is a malignant form of gestational trophoblastic disease with a highly aggressive biologic behavior and responds well to chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to analyse the various histological features of this neoplasm as seen in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching hospital, ( ABUTH ) Zaria, determine its incidence, and compare with other studies. Materials and methods: The bench registers were used to retrieve the request forms, slides, and tissue blocks. The slides were all stained with standard haematoxylin and Eosin. The histological criteria published by Gehrig and van Lee was used to diagnose the tumours and grading of the cases from grade I to III. Results: Forty three cases were studied and these formed 4.9% of all products of conception and 37.7% of all gestational trophoblastic diseases. The peak age of incidence was in the third and fourth decades of life with vaginal bleeding as the leading mode of presentation. Extensive histopathological analysis and grading revealed haemorrhage, necrosis diamorphic appearance and pleomorphism as the most frequent features. Conclusion: Gestational choriocarcinoma is a common problem in Zaria, North- Western Nigeria with an incidence of 1 in 1039 deliveries. Haemorrhage, necrosis, diamorphic appearance and pleomorphism were the most frequent histological features. Health education and early detection are of paramount importance in reducing morbidity and mortality.

Background: Transthoracic Echocardiography is an important non-invasive technique which provides information about cardiac structure and function, thus useful in the evaluation and management of cardiac diseases. Previous studies on echocardiography findings in our environment documented Hypertensive heart disease, Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Rheumatic Heart Disease as the commonest findings in patients with cardiac diseases. This study aimed to provide an update on the common echocardiography findings in this part of the country since previous studies were done over a decade ago. Materials and Methods: We reviewed echocardiographic reports of 1012 consecutive patients aged ≥15 years from September 2011 to August 2014 (3 years). The reports were reviewed for demographic parameters, indications for the procedure and main echocardiography diagnoses. Results: The mean age of the 1,012 individuals studied was 41.28 ± 16.25 years. There were 330 males and 682 females. The commonest clinical indication for echocardiography was Systemic hypertension/Hypertensive heart disease (41%) followed by Peripartum cardiomyopathy (20%) and Congestive cardiac failure (12%) of unknown cause. The most prevalent echocardiographic diagnoses was Hypertensive heart disease seen in 40.3%, followed by Peripartum cardiomyopathy (32%), Dilated cardiomyopathy (5.9%), and Rheumatic heart disease 4.6%. Normal echocardiographic findings were seen in 14.9% of the subjects. Conclusion: Hypertensive heart disease remains the most common echocardiographic indication and diagnosis. Peripartum cardiomyopathy was frequent in our centre and this may be related to the increased availability and accessibility to echocardiographic facility as well as the low socioeconomic status of the category of patients that attend the centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Malaria is prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and has been associated with some haematological changes. This study determined the effect of malaria infection on haematological values amongst children in north-western Nigeria. Materials and methods: Fifty-eight malaria-infected children, aged 1-12 years, and 58 age-matched uninfected children were studied between September and December 2011 at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Blood samples collected were analysed for full blood count using a Swelab Alfa 3-part analyser and malaria parasite test using the field staining technique. Results: There were significantly lower values of haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, and platelet count of 29.0 ± 4.7%, 10.0 ± 1.7 g/L, and 195.9 ± 111.9 x 109/L in malaria-infected children compared to 32.3 ± 2.8%, 11.1 ± 1.1 g/L, and (287.4 ± 92.6) x 109/L, respectively, in uninfected control subjects (P < 0.05), while the values of total white blood cell count, granulocyte count, lymphocyte count, and mid-cell count in malaria-infected and noninfected children showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). Parasite densities had no significant influences on haematocrit, haemoglobin, or white blood cell counts (P > 0.05), but showed influence on platelet count (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Changes in haematological values in malaria-infected children are associated with anaemia and thrombocytopaenia irrespective of their sex. It is recommended that platelet count be determined as it could assist in the diagnosis of malaria infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the challenges facing the management of diabetes is the misconception and inadequate knowledge about the disease. We assessed the level of diabetes-related knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among patients with diabetes in North-western Nigeria., Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. A total of 400 participants were recruited. A KAP questionnaire was used to assess the KAP of the patients. Glycated hemoglobin was used to measure the level of glucose control of the study participants., Results: The mean age of the patients was 51 years, majority being females 233 (58.3%). The mean knowledge score was 6.2 ± 3.1 points (out of 15), average attitude score was 2.5 ± 1.5 points (out of 5), and the mean practice score was 2.1 ± 1.3 points (out of 6). The level of KAP was found to be directly related to glycemic control (P < 0.01). The level of education (odds ratio [OR]: 5.0 and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.196-0.452) and monthly income (OR: 4.4 and 95% CI: 0.123-0.326) were found to be independent predictors of diabetes-related KAP., Conclusion: The study has demonstrated poor diabetes-related KAP. The patient's level of education and income plays a major role in the management of diabetes., Competing Interests: None

Fish production systems in North-western Nigeria have a significant role in food, nutrition and income generations to families, yet an important setup for zoonotic disease transmission. The aim of this study was to provide a broad knowledge of the structure, activities and food safety risks of the fish value chains operating in North-western Nigeria using the value chain framework. A total of 16 focus groups and 8 key informant interviews were conducted to gather data from fish producers, fish sellers and fish processors in selected peri-urban and rural settlements in Kaduna State. In addition, 129 semi-structured questionnaires and observation checklists were used in this study to gather evidence-based data, such as demography of value chain actors, product characterization, and food safety risks. The fish value-chain in North-western Nigeria is characterised by four main stakeholders, namely, fish producers, transporters, as well as raw- and processed-fish-sellers (wholesalers, retailers). Two major sources were identified supplying farmed fish to North-western Nigeria: the distributors from the central and southern part of the country and the fish farmers within the North-western and North-eastern regions of Nigeria. Raw-fish-wholesalers within the two major markets sold most of their high-value products to raw-fish-retailers, while low-value products were routed to raw-fish-retailers in the rural communities, processed-fish-retailers and household consumers in rural settlements. There were no large companies operating and no differentiation of chains between aquaculture and wild fishery. Raw fishes not sold and began to rot were sold to street vendors at a cheaper price and household consumers. Fish production and supply chains were characterised by poor structural and sanitary support for food safety and hygiene measures. Food safety risks identified were related to lack of biosecurity measures in fish farms, lack of cold chain and access to running water, poor hygiene practices by all handlers, lack of fish inspection at all levels, lack of use of protective clothing and limited health inspection of handlers. In overall, government control of activities in fish value chains was relatively poor leading to the absence of food safety regulatory enforcement characterised by lack of institutional goals on improving food safety measures in a chain-wide distribution. Hence, this study points the significant structural, sanitary and hygiene limitations along the fish value chain components. It provides a baseline for microbial food safety risk assessments, and information required for policy-making regarding implementation of disease control programmes, as the sector is fast-evolving in Sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]