How Nigeria Can Protect Itself from Future Epidemics Through Funding

In recent years, the world has grappled with the devastating impacts of epidemics. These include the Ebola outbreak in West Africa between 2013 and 2016 that was identified as the largest Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976; the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted economies, health systems and shut the world in 2020; and the recent Mpox outbreak in 2024, where 94 cases were reported in Nigeria.

Nigeria has battled recurring Lassa fever outbreaks, cholera, and the polio resurgence before its eradication in 2020. These health crises have exposed gaps in health systems, underlining the need for robust epidemic preparedness.

However, we have the opportunity to build a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to quality healthcare. A Nigeria where health funds reach those in need and are used to improve lives. A Nigeria that is prepared, resilient, and dedicated to the well-being of its people.

Continuous and strategic funding for epidemic preparedness is essential to address the impacts of epidemics. Sustained investment ensures that health systems can prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks effectively, to safeguard the lives of citizens. Experts argue that this funding must be tied to long-term plans, with clear accountability mechanisms in place.

“Underfunding epidemic preparedness is like disregarding public health. The cost of inaction far outweighs the investment required for readiness or preparedness,” said Damilola Ademuyiwa, a public health expert and Programme Director at the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL).

Ademuyiwa told BONews Service that “long-term funding is not just about preventing the next outbreak; it is about building resilient systems that protect the health of all Nigerians. Without consistent investment, our ability to respond effectively is compromised.”

Epidemics have far-reaching health implications that can strain individuals, communities, and healthcare systems. They often lead to widespread illnesses and deaths, especially among vulnerable groups like children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. They also delay access to routine healthcare, with resources diverted to reactively combat epidemics. In severe cases, epidemics disrupt food production and distribution, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition, especially among vulnerable populations.

Beyond the health impacts of epidemics, there are also economic and social implications. According to the World Bank, pandemics can cost the global economy trillions of dollars. In Nigeria, the economic toll of epidemics often compounds the strain on already fragile systems.

Despite this stark reality, Nigeria allocates only a small fraction of its annual budget to health security. This has led to gaps in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and emergency response systems, leaving the country vulnerable to outbreaks.

For instance, the Federal Government allocated only 4.47% of the 2024 total budget expenditure to health. Apart from 2024, the health budget in Nigeria has been significantly low in recent years. In 2020, it was 4.38% of the total national budget at N10,594.36 billion; in 2019 it was 4.72% of the total national budget; and in 2018, it was 4%. Interestingly, the health sector received N1.17 trillion in the 2023 budget, which was the highest allocation ever. However, this was still only 5.75% of the total budget, which is below the 15% commitment made by African leaders under the Abuja Declaration. This indicates that the past health budgets have not taken into cognisance the need to enhance health security.

Mr Ademuyiwa also appealed to the Federal Government to prioritize the implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) through budgetary allocation and release of public funds to address the gaps in epidemic preparedness in the country.

Winner Mugana, a financial expert and Head of Finance at Convexity Technologies, opined that the Nigerian government needed to show commitment to the health and well-being of the populace by making necessary budgetary allocations for epidemic preparedness.

Calling for epidemic preparedness funding, Mugana said “we cannot afford to repeat the negative impacts seen during past epidemics, where delayed responses and underfunded systems cost lives and livelihoods.

She explained that the epidemic preparedness fund will help Nigeria build resilience against outbreaks and avoid the economic shocks that come with unpreparedness, and added that “we need to make proactive investments to enhance health security in Nigeria because it is a smart financial strategy to protect the country’s future.”

Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, while speaking at a recent dialogue on strengthening Nigeria’s emergency preparedness and response through legislative reforms, organised by the National Assembly with support from LISDEL’s Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) Prevent Epidemics (PE) Project, acknowledged that Nigeria needs contingent finances to tackle disease outbreaks.

Pate said, “Globally, there are contingent financing mechanisms in place. So, you need some resources that are provided as contingent financing that you can draw down when there’s a crisis.

“You can’t plan for the crisis that will happen in a few months. It may happen or it may not happen. But if it happens and you are not prepared and you don’t have the resources, then you’re in deep trouble. So, I want to put it on the table of the legislature to consider contingency financing.”

Highlighting the role of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control in epidemic preparedness, Prof Pate said “our health insurance in terms of health security is investing in the NCDC; they prevent a lot of the bad things that could happen. I urge the legislature to establish contingency financing mechanisms for the NCDC, ensuring that we have immediate resources available to respond effectively to public health emergencies as they arise.”

To systematise health security funding, there is a need to institutionalise it through robust policies and political will.

The risks of underfunding epidemic preparedness are too great to ignore. Sustained resources will protect public health and safeguard the economy and society.

Nigeria can join other countries, such as Rwanda, Thailand, and Vietnam, that have demonstrated that dedicated health security financing, whether through national budgets, public-private partnerships, or international collaboration, is critical for maintaining the readiness and mitigating the impact of epidemics.

By Blessing Oladunjoye

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