The federal government has launched a €4.2 million European Union-funded health programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s preparedness for disease outbreaks and improving coordination among public health institutions nationwide.
- +Nigeria boosts outbreak preparedness with €4.2m EU-WHO health programme
The initiative, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), will be implemented over four years by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The initiative, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), will be implemented over four years by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The programme is expected to strengthen the capacity of selected public health institutions to detect outbreaks earlier, improve real-time information sharing and support faster responses to health emergencies amid recurring outbreaks of infectious diseases across the country.
Nigeria continues to face a double burden of repeated disease outbreaks alongside a growing number of people living with long-term conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. As the pressures rise, so do the expectations on health institutions to respond faster across multiple levels.
According to the WHO, noncommunicable diseases are rising and now account for 27% of deaths in Nigeria, whilst malaria contributes 30% of global malaria deaths and recurrent outbreaks, like cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, meningitis, and Mpox, remain a major cause of illness and death (WHO).
The EU SPIN contribution is expected to improve how public health institutes work together and share responsibilities and train leaders and frontline staff involved in prevention and response.
According to the WHO, it is also expected to support systems that share data in real time, so decisions are based on timely information; link public health work to primary health care and communities; and build digital skills for the public health workforce, with a target of 75% trained staff.
Iziaq Salako, Nigeria’s minister of state for Health and Social Welfare, said the initiative is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s health institutions, desribing it as a welcome development.
“It will improve the well‑being of Nigerians, especially our vulnerable populations. We appreciate the European Union and the World Health Organisation for their support, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Our commitment to equitable healthcare and prosperity for all remains unwavering’, Salako said.
Gautier Mignon, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, said, “Through EU SPIN, the European Union is investing in strong, digitally enabled public health institutions in Nigeria. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to health security and sustainable systems strengthening.”
Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative in Nigeria, said, “By improving coordination, skills, and digital tools, the project will help protect lives and keep communities healthier.”
By 2028, the programme aims to have contributed to Nigeria having more efficient inter-institutional coordination, clearer roles, and more reliable public health data across federal, state, and local levels.
