Civil Society Groups Advocate for Comprehensive Health Security Reforms in Nigeria

In response to growing concerns about Nigeria’s vulnerability to public health crises, a coalition of civil society organizations recently convened a policy dialogue to advocate for significant health security reforms. Themed “Protecting Citizens’ Health: The Imperative of Successful Legal Reform and Accountable Health Security Financing,” the event brought together advocates, policymakers, and stakeholders to evaluate and address gaps in Nigeria’s health security framework.

The dialogue was organized by the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) with support from the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) through the Prevent Epidemics Project, funded by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).

In his goodwill message, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, emphasized the need for robust health frameworks to shield Nigerians from emerging global health threats. He commended Nigeria’s progress in legislative reforms, including the passage of the Animal Diseases (Control) Bill, while urging the government to prioritize additional bills, such as amendments to the National Health Act, the NCDC Act as well as the proposed Public Health Emergency Bill and the National Port Health Services Bill. Highlighting WHO’s support for Nigeria’s health security reforms—ranging from technical assistance to the NCDC to sub-national cholera preparedness programs, Dr. Mulombo stressed the critical role of legislative and community engagement. He also noted WHO’s collaboration in evaluating Nigeria’s points of entry to strengthen preparedness against disease importation and outbreaks, expressing confidence that stronger legal frameworks and partnerships will enable a resilient health system capable of tackling both local and international health threats.

Earlier, Dr. Muhammed Lecky, Chairperson of the HSRC, underscored the need for systematic legislation to enhance Nigeria’s emergency response capacity. “We cannot afford ad hoc responses to health emergencies. A credible framework is essential for national security and public health,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Nneka Orji, echoed this urgency, emphasizing updated health laws to address modern challenges such as infectious diseases, mental health, and non-communicable diseases. He highlighted the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) as a strategy to foster greater coordination and transparency among government agencies, donors, private partners, and civil society organizations.

Participants prioritized legislative reforms, particularly the passage of the Public Health Emergency Bill to replace the outdated 1926 Quarantine Act and amendments to the NCDC Act to enhance disease surveillance and outbreak response. Recommendations included empowering port health units to enforce rigorous measures at entry points and establishing state-level disease control centers to strengthen local preparedness. The Health Security Accountability Framework, developed by LISDEL with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, was identified as a vital tool to track investments, enforce accountability, and promote transparency, thus boosting public trust and driving sustained health outcomes.

Civil society groups resolved to intensify advocacy for health security reforms, recognizing their importance in protecting Nigeria from future health threats. The Health Sector Reform Coalition pledged to collaborate closely with policymakers to ensure health security remains a national priority. These initiatives aim to position Nigeria as a proactive, well-funded, and legally fortified public health system ready to address emerging challenges effectively.

By LISDEL