Nigeria and China have deepened collaboration on public health security, describing it as a vital pillar for national stability, economic growth, and global safety.
Speaking at a high-level symposium in Abuja, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted how outbreaks such as Ebola and COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in global health systems, stressing the need for stronger collective preparedness.
He noted that Nigeria is adopting a “One Health” approach, integrating sectors like health, agriculture, and environment to tackle infectious diseases more effectively. The partnership is expected to boost disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, emergency response systems, and the use of genomics and data science.
Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis, noting that improved laboratory systems and access to modern tools will strengthen early detection and response to outbreaks.
Renowned Chinese virologist George F. Gao called for transparent, real-time global data sharing, warning that withholding information increases vulnerability to rapidly evolving pathogens. He also stressed the importance of sanitation and resilient public health infrastructure.
Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai described the collaboration as part of a broader strategic partnership between both countries, focused on innovation, capacity building, and access to medical resources.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization representative Pavel Ursu underscored that global health security depends on solidarity, science, and equity, noting that no country can tackle pandemics alone.
Participants at the symposium agreed that sustained cooperation between Nigeria and China is essential to building resilient health systems and preparing for future global health challenges.
