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 capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
The programme, known as EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), was unveiled on Monday in Abuja during a high-level event attended by health experts, government officials, and development partners.
Valued at approximately ₦6.7 billion, the four-year initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by the World Health Organization in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The project is designed to strengthen key public health institutions, improve early outbreak detection, enhance information sharing, and reduce the impact of infectious diseases across the country.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, described the programme as a major boost to Nigeria’s health system.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen our health institutions, and it is a welcome development. It will improve the well-being of Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations,” he said.
He added that the initiative aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on equitable healthcare delivery and improved public health outcomes.
Nigeria continues to face repeated outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, and Mpox, alongside a growing burden of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases account for about 27% of deaths in Nigeria, while the country contributes nearly 30% of global malaria fatalities.
Health experts say weaknesses in surveillance systems, emergency preparedness, and data coordination have limited Nigeria’s ability to respond effectively to outbreaks.
The EU SPIN initiative seeks to address these gaps by improving coordination among health agencies, strengthening workforce capacity, and enhancing digital systems for real-time disease monitoring and response.
The programme will also support integration of public health services into primary healthcare systems and community structures, while training at least 75% of health workers in digital and technical competencies.
Frontline health workers at federal, state, and local government levels are expected to benefit from improved tools, coordination frameworks, and operational support.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the initiative reflects the EU’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health security architecture.
“Through EU SPIN, the European Union is investing in strong, digitally enabled public health institutions in Nigeria,” he said.
Similarly, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, said the project would enhance preparedness and save lives through improved coordination and response systems.
By 2028, stakeholders expect the initiative to significantly improve collaboration among public health institutions and strengthen data-driven decision-making across Nigeria’s health system.
