Abuja, Nigeria — The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Norway have renewed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health system, with a focus on improving immunisation coverage, disease surveillance, and primary healthcare delivery.
This follows a high-level meeting in Abuja between WHO Representative, Dr Pavel Ursu, and the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Baera.
The discussions centred on deepening collaboration to accelerate progress toward Nigeria’s national health targets, particularly in health security, surveillance systems, and primary healthcare. Both parties emphasised the need to translate partnerships into measurable health outcomes for Nigerians.
WHO noted that it continues to work closely with Nigeria and international partners, including Norway, to strengthen the country’s primary healthcare system, expand digital health infrastructure, and enhance real-time disease monitoring. A key component of this effort is the scale-up of the District Health Information System (DHIS2), supported by the HISP Centre at the University of Oslo, which is helping to improve data management and support timely, evidence-based decision-making.
Despite ongoing interventions, immunisation coverage in Nigeria remains below the global target of 90 per cent. Health authorities are intensifying efforts to reach “zero-dose” children—those who have not received any routine vaccines—while addressing persistent inequities in access to healthcare services.
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The meeting also highlighted the urgent need to halt the transmission of variant poliovirus through stronger disease surveillance and a well-trained frontline health workforce. WHO reaffirmed its support for capacity building, integration of health data systems, and advocacy for increased domestic investment in the health sector, alongside contributions from development partners.
Stakeholders agreed that strengthening health systems, improving data quality, and sustaining coordinated partnerships are critical to achieving better health outcomes and ensuring resilience against future public health threats in Nigeria.
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