Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Federal Government, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a €4.2 million about ₦6.7 billion health initiative aimed at improving Nigeria’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.
The programme, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), will run for four years and focus on strengthening public health institutions across the country through improved coordination, digital innovation, workforce training and real-time data sharing.
The initiative was officially launched in Abuja on Monday.
Nigeria continues to face recurring outbreaks of infectious diseases including cholera, diphtheria, meningitis, Lassa fever, Mpox and malaria, alongside a growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases now account for 27 percent of deaths in Nigeria, while malaria contributes nearly 30 percent of global malaria deaths.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the programme as a major boost to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen our health institutions, and it is truly a welcome development. It will improve the well-being of Nigerians, especially our vulnerable populations,” he said.
Salako added that the project aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its commitment to equitable healthcare delivery.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the EU SPIN project reflects a shared commitment to building stronger and digitally enabled public health institutions in Nigeria.
“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,” he stated.
The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, also noted that the programme would improve coordination, strengthen digital tools and enhance the skills of healthcare workers across the country.
“By improving coordination, skills and digital tools, the project will help protect lives and keep communities healthier,” Ursu said.
Under the initiative, frontline health workers and public health leaders will receive training in outbreak prevention and response, while digital systems for real-time health data sharing will also be expanded.
The programme targets at least 75 percent digital skills coverage among the public health workforce.
Health experts say the initiative could significantly improve Nigeria’s emergency response capacity by ensuring quicker detection of outbreaks, faster information sharing and better coordination between federal, state and local health institutions.
The project is also expected to strengthen the connection between public health services, primary healthcare centres and local communities, especially in underserved areas.
For millions of Nigerians, the programme could translate into faster responses during health emergencies, improved healthcare delivery and reduced deaths from preventable diseases.
By 2028, stakeholders expect the initiative to help Nigeria build a more resilient and efficient public health system capable of responding effectively to future disease threats.