• The Federal Government, the European Union, and the World Health Organization launched a €4.2 million health initiative in Abuja
• The programme, known as EU SPIN, is valued at about N6.7 billion and will run for four years
• The initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s disease outbreak detection and emergency response systems

Nigeria’s efforts to improve disease outbreak preparedness received a major boost on Monday, May 11, as the Federal Government, alongside the European Union and the World Health Organization, unveiled a €4.2 million health initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s public health response systems.

The programme, titled World Health Organization-backed EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), was launched in Abuja during a meeting attended by health experts, government officials, and development partners.

Valued at about N6.7 billion, the four-year project is funded by the European Union and will be implemented by the World Health Organization in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The initiative is designed to strengthen public health institutions across the country by improving disease surveillance, outbreak detection, emergency response coordination, and real-time information sharing.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, described the programme as a significant step toward improving Nigeria’s healthcare system.

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

He added that the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to equitable healthcare access for all citizens.

Nigeria has continued to face repeated outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera, Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, and Mpox.

At the same time, the country is also battling a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases account for roughly 27 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, while the country contributes close to 30 per cent of global malaria deaths.

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that these challenges have exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s disease surveillance systems, emergency preparedness, health data management, and inter-agency coordination.

Under the EU SPIN initiative, public health agencies are expected to benefit from stronger collaboration, improved workforce capacity, and upgraded digital systems that will support real-time health data sharing.

The programme will also focus on integrating public health services into communities and primary healthcare centres, while training at least 75 per cent of health workers in digital competencies.

Officials noted that frontline health workers at federal, state, and local government levels would gain access to better tools, improved coordination systems, and enhanced technical support.

The initiative is also expected to improve healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations, including women, children, internally displaced persons, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities.

Speaking at the event, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the programme demonstrates the EU’s continued commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health security framework.

“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.”

Also speaking, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, said the intervention would enhance institutional efficiency and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks.

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

Stakeholders say the programme is expected to significantly improve coordination among public health institutions and strengthen health data systems across Nigeria’s federal, state, and local government levels by 2028.

Lassa fever hits Oyo with 5 cases, 1 death as government activates emergency response

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Oyo State Government had confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever, recording five cases and one fatality, while assuring residents that swift measures are in place to curb its spread.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, revealed that all confirmed cases are currently receiving care at designated isolation facilities, including the state’s Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the University College Hospital isolation unit.

Residents were advised to maintain clean environments, avoid contact with rodents, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding appear.