Nigeria has made significant strides in its health security, increasing its capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats from 39% in 2017 to 54% in 2023. This progress was highlighted at the conclusion of the second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) for the International Health Regulations (IHR) Core Capacities held in Abuja.
The JEE process, which is voluntary and multi-sectoral, assesses a nation’s preparedness across 19 technical areas critical to health security. It is part of the IHR monitoring and evaluation framework. The evaluation brought together experts from various ministries, departments, and agencies to review Nigeria’s capacities to handle public health risks that could cross international boundaries.
Key Findings from the JEE
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, noted that while Nigeria has made notable progress and passed key benchmarks, there are still gaps that need to be addressed. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the JEE recommendations to inform short- and long-term plans, especially with the incoming ministers and the health agenda led by President Bola Tinubu.
Dr. Adetifa highlighted that the government’s commitment to health security aligns with broader goals such as universal healthcare, strengthening primary healthcare, digital health coverage, and securing the nation’s health. He added that the recent report from the Health Sector Reform Committee will also play a key role in shaping future plans for the health sector.
World Health Organization’s Assessment
Dr. Hendrick Ormel, Senior Adviser of the Global JEE Secretariat and the WHO Lead External Evaluator, praised Nigeria for its progress but also stressed that more work is needed, particularly in food safety and addressing understaffing issues. Dr. Ormel noted that Nigeria’s health security improvements are not only beneficial for the country but also for global health security.
He recommended creating a five-year, risk-based National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), with clear costing proposals to prioritize the most urgent needs identified in the JEE. This plan should address gaps identified through the JEE and after-action reviews, particularly lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recommendations for Further Improvement
Dr. Ormel outlined key areas for Nigeria to focus on to further strengthen its health security:
- Developing the National Action Plan for Health Security: The plan should be based on JEE findings and after-action reviews, ensuring that priorities are costed realistically.
- Coordinating Multi-sectoral Efforts: Nigeria should continue to engage both public and private sectors at national and subnational levels, ensuring integration into national disaster risk management strategies.
- Strengthening Accountability and Coordination: The development of an accountability framework and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for better coordination between sectors, including the security apparatus, private sector, and civil society, is critical for effective health emergency preparedness.
Conclusion
With the second JEE completed, Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to improving health security by addressing key gaps and increasing its readiness to handle health emergencies. While substantial progress has been made, the need for further investment in staffing, food safety, and multi-sectoral coordination remains crucial. As Nigeria works towards implementing the recommendations from the JEE, including the creation of a robust National Action Plan for Health Security, it continues to solidify its role in protecting both national and global public health.
