Nigeria targets faster outbreak response with new EU-backed health initiative

The Federal Government has launched a €4.2 million health security initiative with support from the European Union and the World Health Organization to strengthen Nigeria’s response to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. The programme, tagged EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), will run for four years and is expected to […]

The Federal Government has launched a €4.2 million health security initiative with support from the European Union and the World Health Organization to strengthen Nigeria’s response to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

The programme, tagged EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), will run for four years and is expected to improve disease surveillance, digital health systems, workforce capacity and coordination among public health institutions nationwide.

Implemented by the WHO in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the initiative is designed to help Nigeria tackle recurring outbreaks of infectious diseases while also improving responses to noncommunicable diseases.

Health officials said the country continues to face repeated outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, meningitis, Lassa fever and Mpox, while noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes now account for about 27 per cent of deaths nationwide.

Authorities also noted that Nigeria contributes nearly 30 per cent of global malaria-related deaths, underscoring the pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

Under the programme, public health institutions across federal, state and local levels are expected to benefit from improved leadership structures, stronger emergency preparedness systems and better real-time data sharing for faster decision-making during outbreaks.

The initiative also aims to strengthen the integration of public health services with primary healthcare and community systems, while promoting digital literacy among health workers. Organisers said the target is to ensure that at least 75 per cent of the public health workforce receives digital skills training.

Speaking during the launch in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the programme as a major boost to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“This initiative is designed to strengthen our health institutions, and it is truly a welcome development. It will improve the well-being of Nigerians, especially our vulnerable populations,” he said.

Salako added that the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s healthcare reform priorities.

“We appreciate the European Union and the World Health Organization for their support, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Our commitment to equitable healthcare and prosperity for all remains unwavering,” he stated.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the intervention reflects a joint commitment to building stronger and digitally driven public health institutions in Nigeria.

“Through EU SPIN, the European Union is investing in strong, digitally enabled public health institutions in Nigeria. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to health security and sustainable systems strengthening,” he said.

The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, said the programme would improve coordination and strengthen emergency response systems across the country.

“By improving coordination, skills, and digital tools, the project will help protect lives and keep communities healthier,” Ursu stated.

According to the partners, the initiative is expected to improve collaboration among public health institutions by 2028 while ensuring clearer operational structures and more reliable health data systems across the country.

They added that implementation progress would be tracked through national evaluation mechanisms and periodic reviews involving government agencies and development partners.