Epidemiological reports and post-mortem examination of slaughtered cattle indicate that prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in Nigeria is on the increase, despite annual mass vaccinations and other protection measures. The number of reported outbreaks increased from 20 in 1981 to 64 in 1988, 114 in 1989, 82 in 1990 and 52 in 1991 (January to June). Post-mortem examinations conducted between January 1988 and June 1991 at the abattoir in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State (Nigeria) revealed that of 122,567 slaughtered cattle, 6,008 (4.9%) had pneumonia and 777 (0.6%) had gross lesions suggestive of CBPP. Only 22 sporadic outbreaks were reported over this period within the catchment area of Borno State. Probable reasons for the deteriorating situation of CBPP in Nigeria are discussed.