The Federal Government, in partnership with the European Union and the World Health Organization, has launched a €4.2 million initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s disease surveillance and emergency preparedness systems.
The programme, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), was unveiled in Abuja as part of efforts to improve the country’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
The four-year initiative, funded by the European Union and implemented by the WHO in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is valued at approximately ₦6.7 billion.
According to officials, the programme is designed to strengthen selected public health institutions by improving outbreak detection, real-time information sharing, emergency response coordination, and digital health systems across the country.
Speaking at the launch, 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 improve the well-being of Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations,” he said.
Salako noted that the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and improved health security nationwide.
Nigeria has continued to battle outbreaks of infectious diseases including cholera, Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, and Mpox, alongside rising cases of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Under the EU SPIN initiative, health institutions at federal, state, and local government levels are expected to benefit from improved coordination systems, enhanced workforce capacity, and better digital tools for real-time data management.
The programme also targets the training of at least 75 per cent of relevant public health personnel in outbreak response and digital health competencies.
Speaking at the event, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health security framework.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, also stated that improved coordination, skills, and digital tools under the programme would help protect lives and strengthen community health outcomes.
By 2028, stakeholders expect the initiative to significantly improve public health coordination, strengthen disease surveillance systems, and enhance the reliability of health data across Nigeria.
