The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s public health response with the retraining of no fewer than 79,000 health workers across the country.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to improve emergency preparedness amid growing concerns over emerging and re-emerging disease threats.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this at a public health symposium, warning that future pandemics remain a real and imminent risk.
He explained that disease outbreaks often evolve gradually and, if not contained early, can escalate into widespread public health crises.
According to him, recent findings have highlighted Nigeria’s exposure to multiple infectious diseases, reinforcing the need for sustained vigilance and preparedness.
Pate stressed that beyond health risks, pandemics pose significant economic and security challenges, noting that past outbreaks have disrupted livelihoods and national systems.
He said the government is prioritising investments in resilient health systems, skilled workforce development and institutional capacity to ensure effective response to future emergencies.
The minister also emphasised the need to strengthen public trust, expand local production of vaccines and medicines, and improve safety for frontline health workers.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, described pandemics as among the most disruptive events globally, noting that recent health crises exposed gaps in health systems.
He called for improved surveillance, stronger collaboration and a coordinated approach involving all sectors of society.
Also speaking, the Nigeria Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Pavel Ursu, stressed that global cooperation remains critical in tackling infectious diseases.
He noted that early detection, transparency and data sharing are essential in limiting the spread of outbreaks.
Meanwhile, China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, called for deeper collaboration between both countries, noting that infectious diseases remain unpredictable due to evolving transmission patterns.
He said strengthening partnerships in healthcare, science and innovation would enhance both immediate response and long-term resilience.
Stakeholders at the event also advocated increased investment in research, digital health systems and cross-sector collaboration, including the adoption of integrated approaches linking human, animal and environmental health.
They stressed that proactive planning and sustained investment remain crucial as Nigeria seeks to build a more responsive and resilient health system.