FG Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Health Security
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its unwavering commitment to strengthening regional health security, deepening surveillance capacity and advancing continental health sovereignty as it hosted the West Africa Regional Review and Coordination Meeting in Abuja.
Speaking at the gathering, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako welcomed delegates from across the African Union (AU) Member States, regional institutions and international development partners to Abuja, describing the meeting as a critical step toward a stronger, more coordinated and more resilient West African health system.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Health of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of the Regional Steering Committee (ReSCO), the Regional Director of the Africa CDC West Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (RCC), Dr. Alinon Kokou, representatives of ECOWAS, African Union agencies, WAHO, WHO AFRO, CEPI, the World Bank, directors of national laboratories, surveillance units, Public Health Emergency Operations Centres, and development partners.
The Minister congratulated Dr. Kokou on completing an impactful year in office, noting that his leadership and inclusive approach have ushered in a new era of responsive and collaborative regional cooperation. He described the hosting of the first annual regional review under Dr. Kokou’s tenure as a milestone for West Africa and a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to collective progress.
He noted that the meeting aligns directly with the health sector transformation agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who also serves as the African Union Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s ongoing reforms are anchored on several priority areas shared by Africa CDC and ECOWAS, including strengthening emergency preparedness and response through resilient systems, expanded Public Health Emergency Operations Centres and support for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC); modernising public health intelligence through digital and real-time disease surveillance systems; accelerating health workforce development and protection; expanding laboratory and diagnostic capacity; and advancing local manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
“These reforms are not isolated national efforts; they are contributions to regional and continental integration, consistent with the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order,” he said.
He further announced Nigeria’s readiness to provide a permanent and functional office space to support the operations of the Africa CDC in the West Africa region, describing it as part of the country’s commitment to regional unity and cooperation.
Reaffirming support for continental frameworks, the Minister pledged Nigeria’s continued backing for the Africa CDC Five-Pillar Health Security Agenda, the African Epidemic Fund (AfEF), the proposed Regional PHEOC Coordination Platform, and broader reforms aimed at enabling Africa to lead its own health priorities and governance.
He stressed that no single country can tackle health threats alone, calling on member states to strengthen solidarity, deepen technical collaboration, and harmonise their surveillance and response mechanisms in order to protect the region’s estimated 355 million people.
Describing the gathering as more than a technical meeting, he said it presented an opportunity for West Africa to shape a stronger, more integrated and more resilient future in health security.
“As host country, Nigeria welcomes all delegations and assures you of our full support throughout this meeting. We look forward to productive discussions, renewed commitments and concrete outcomes,” the Minister said.
He concluded with a call for unity and preparedness ahead of future health emergencies, noting that the region’s safety depends on the decisions and investments made today.
