Bukola Afeni
The federal government has launched a €4.2 million European Union-funded health programme aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to detect, coordinate and respond to disease outbreaks across federal, state and local levels.
The initiative, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutions in Nigeria (EU-SPIN), was officially launched on Monday in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The four-year programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by WHO, is designed to strengthen core public health functions, improve coordination among health institutions, support real-time data sharing, and build digital and workforce capacity within Nigeria’s health sector.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the initiative as a major step toward improving healthcare delivery in the country.
“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 programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to equitable healthcare and improved public health outcomes.
Nigeria continues to face repeated outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, meningitis and Mpox, alongside a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes.
According to WHO, noncommunicable diseases now account for 27 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, while malaria contributes to 30 per cent of global malaria deaths.
Under the EU-SPIN programme, health workers and institutions are expected to benefit from improved coordination systems, stronger workforce development, digital public health transformation and enhanced institutional capacity.
The project will also focus on governance and multisectoral collaboration, while supporting real-time public health data systems to aid faster decision-making during emergencies.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said the programme reflects the EU’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health security systems.
“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 said.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, noted that the initiative would improve outbreak preparedness and public health coordination nationwide.
“By improving coordination, skills, and digital tools, the project will help protect lives and keep communities healthier,” Ursu stated.
The programme is anchored on Nigeria’s Health Sector Strategic Blueprint 2023–2027 and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
By 2028, the initiative is expected to improve inter-agency coordination, clarify institutional responsibilities and strengthen public health data systems across the country.
