The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU), has unveiled a new health programme aimed at improving the country’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to disease outbreaks.
The initiative, called the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), is a four-year €4.2 million project designed to enhance coordination among public health institutions and strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
Implemented by WHO in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the programme focuses on improving outbreak detection, real-time data sharing, and reducing the burden of preventable diseases.
Nigeria continues to face recurrent outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, meningitis, Mpox, and malaria, as well as rising cases of noncommunicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. WHO reports that noncommunicable diseases now account for 27% of deaths in the country, while Nigeria also contributes significantly to global malaria mortality.
Through the EU SPIN initiative, public health institutions will benefit from improved coordination systems, digital health tools, and capacity-building for healthcare workers and emergency responders. The project also aims to strengthen data-driven decision-making and improve links between public health systems, primary healthcare, and local communities.
Officials say the programme aligns with Nigeria’s health sector reforms and broader goal of achieving equitable healthcare access. It also reflects a shared commitment by partners to build stronger, digitally enabled health institutions.
By 2028, the initiative is expected to improve inter-agency collaboration, clarify institutional responsibilities, and strengthen reliable health data systems across federal, state, and local levels in Nigeria.
