The Federal Government, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a €4.2 million intervention programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks across the country.
The initiative, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), will be implemented by WHO in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare over a four-year period.
The programme, valued at about N6.79 billion, is designed to strengthen the core functions of selected public health institutions, improve outbreak detection, enhance data sharing, and reduce the impact of poor health outcomes nationwide.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the initiative 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,” Salako said.
“It will improve the well-being of Nigerians, especially our vulnerable populations. 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.”
According to WHO data cited at the event, Nigeria continues to battle recurrent outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, meningitis and Mpox, while also facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes.
The organisation noted that non-communicable diseases now account for 27 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, while malaria contributes about 30 per cent of global malaria deaths.
The programme is expected to address existing gaps slowing emergency response by improving coordination among public health institutions and enhancing real-time data sharing for faster decision-making.
It will also support the training of leaders and frontline health workers involved in disease prevention and emergency response, while strengthening digital capacity within the public health workforce.
The EU said the initiative reflects its commitment to supporting sustainable healthcare systems and strengthening health security in Nigeria.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the intervention would help build stronger and digitally enabled public health institutions.
“Through EU SPIN, the European Union is investing in strong, digitally enabled public health institutions in Nigeria,” Mignon said.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to health security and sustainable systems strengthening.”
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, said the project would improve coordination, skills and digital tools required for effective outbreak management.
“By improving coordination, skills, and digital tools, the project will help protect lives and keep communities healthier,” Ursu stated.
According to the partners, the programme seeks to ensure that by 2028 Nigeria will have more effective inter-institutional coordination, clearer operational responsibilities and more reliable public health data across federal, state and local government levels.
They added that progress would be monitored through agreed national evaluation systems with periodic reviews involving government agencies and development partners.
The organisers said public health workers across the country would benefit from improved coordination, enhanced tools and better training under the programme, with particular focus on vulnerable groups including women, children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.
