Nigeria Moves to Strengthen Development and Health Systems
Nigeria strengthens regional development planning and Ebola preparedness through coordinated policies, improved surveillance and stakeholder engagement.
The Federal Government is advancing key policies to strengthen regional development and public health preparedness across the country.
At a recent meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Regional Development, announced plans to introduce a National Regional Development Policy that will provide a clear framework for the operations of Nigeria’s six regional development commissions. According to the Minister, the policy became necessary because there is currently no operational document guiding the commissions across the six geopolitical zones.
Momoh explained that the Ministry received technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during the drafting process. A committee led by the Permanent Secretary coordinated the exercise, while consultations were held nationwide to gather input from stakeholders. He noted that most recommendations received from the six regions were incorporated into the final draft.
He said, “We wanted a policy that reflects the aspirations and realities of stakeholders across the country. Governors were duly informed of the consultations, and many sent representatives, while participants from different sectors made valuable contributions that have been reflected in the final draft.”
The Minister expressed confidence that the National Regional Development Policy would receive approval from the Federal Executive Council. He also noted that the regional development commissions were established through an Act of Parliament following approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, making them legally recognised institutions.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining Nigeria’s zero-case status for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Speaking at the inauguration of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Task Force, said Nigeria remains free of Ebola cases and is strengthening preventive measures to sustain that status.
Gbajabiamila stressed that prevention remains the cornerstone of the government’s strategy. Drawing from lessons learned during the 2014 outbreak, authorities have enhanced disease surveillance, border monitoring and emergency response systems. He stated that several sub-committees have been established to address critical areas, including border management, immigration control and public health monitoring.
“We inaugurated the committee today on Nigeria’s preparedness for the Ebola Virus Disease. We have covered a lot of ground, and there are presently no reported cases in the country, which is good news.
“That is why all hands must be on deck to ensure that preventive measures are prioritised rather than curative measures.”
The government is working closely with states that host international airports, including Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory, while also focusing on land borders due to significant cross-border movement. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is providing technical leadership and coordination for the initiative.
Together, the proposed National Regional Development Policy and strengthened Ebola preparedness measures reflect the government’s broader efforts to improve governance, enhance institutional effectiveness and build long-term resilience against future challenges.
Do you think stronger regional coordination and public health preparedness can help Nigeria address future development and health challenges more effectively?
