The Federal Government, in collaboration with the European Union and the World Health Organization, has launched a €4.2 million health security initiative aimed at improving Nigeria’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to disease outbreaks.
The programme, named the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), was formally unveiled on Monday in Abuja at an event attended by government officials, health experts, and international development partners.
Valued at approximately N6.7 billion and expected to run for four years, the initiative is designed to strengthen key public health institutions, enhance disease surveillance systems, and improve coordination among health agencies across federal, state, and local levels.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, described the programme as a significant step in reinforcing Nigeria’s healthcare system and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.
He said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader health reform agenda and would help improve early detection of outbreaks, data sharing, and emergency response mechanisms nationwide.
Nigeria continues to face recurring outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera, Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, and Mpox, alongside a growing burden of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Health experts estimate that non-communicable diseases account for about 27 per cent of deaths in the country, while Nigeria also contributes a significant share of global malaria fatalities.
According to stakeholders, these challenges have exposed weaknesses in surveillance systems, emergency preparedness, and coordination between public health institutions.
The EU SPIN programme is expected to address these gaps by improving digital health infrastructure, strengthening workforce capacity, and supporting real-time disease reporting systems. Officials say at least 75 per cent of public health workers will receive targeted training under the initiative.
The project will also support the integration of public health services into primary healthcare delivery, with a focus on reaching vulnerable groups including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the initiative demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to strengthening health systems and improving health security in Nigeria through digital innovation and institutional support.
He noted that the partnership reflects a shared goal of building resilient health systems capable of responding effectively to public health emergencies.
Similarly, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, said the programme would enhance coordination among institutions and improve preparedness, ultimately saving lives through faster and more efficient outbreak response.
By 2028, stakeholders expect the initiative to significantly improve collaboration between health agencies, clarify institutional responsibilities, and strengthen Nigeria’s national health data systems for better decision-making and crisis response.
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