By Abujah Racheal
Abuja, June 24, 2026 – The Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) has called for a review of the National Institute for Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Zaria (Establishment) Bill, 2025, citing concerns that the proposed institute would duplicate the statutory functions of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The society made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday following a review of the bill currently before the National Assembly.
NIDS said while it recognised and appreciated the bill’s intention to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for infectious disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, laboratory systems, workforce development, research and public health security, many of the proposed functions were already assigned to the NCDC.
According to the society, the proposed institute is empowered to undertake disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, laboratory coordination, implementation of the International Health Regulations, public health emergency management, workforce development, research coordination, technical assistance to states, public communication and international collaboration.
It noted that these responsibilities were central to the legal mandate and operational functions of the NCDC.
The society raised concerns that establishing a parallel institution with overlapping responsibilities could fragment national public health leadership, particularly during disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
“Effective outbreak preparedness and response require clear lines of authority and accountability.
“Nigeria should avoid creating parallel structures with overlapping mandates for disease surveillance, emergency response and public health coordination,” it said.
NIDS also expressed concern over the financial implications of the proposed institute, which would include a headquarters, six zonal institutes, state offices, a governing board and an advisory council.
According to the society, available resources would yield greater public health returns if invested in strengthening existing institutions, laboratory systems, workforce development and emergency preparedness programmes.
The society further warned that creating another national public health entity could generate uncertainty among states and development partners regarding technical leadership, reporting obligations, resource allocation and emergency coordination.
It also opposed the proposal to allocate a portion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to the institute, warning that further fragmentation of the funding mechanism could affect investments in primary healthcare services, disease prevention and frontline health system strengthening.
NIDS said international best practice favoured strengthening existing national public health institutes rather than establishing multiple agencies with overlapping mandates.
The society, however, clarified that it was not opposed to strengthening infectious disease research, training and laboratory science in Nigeria.
It advocated increased investment in infectious disease research and innovation, advanced laboratory infrastructure, workforce development, antimicrobial resistance surveillance and preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
NIDS said that if policymakers considered it necessary to establish a specialised infectious disease research and training institution in Zaria, such a centre should complement and support the NCDC rather than function as a parallel national public health authority.
The society urged the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive review of the bill and areas of overlap with the NCDC Act.
“Nigeria’s public health future will be best served by strengthening its national public health institute, not by creating a second one,” it stated.
By Abujah Racheal
Abuja, June 24, 2026 – The Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) has called for a review of the National Institute for Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Zaria (Establishment) Bill, 2025, citing concerns that the proposed institute would duplicate the statutory functions of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The society made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday following a review of the bill currently before the National Assembly.
NIDS said while it recognised and appreciated the bill’s intention to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for infectious disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, laboratory systems, workforce development, research and public health security, many of the proposed functions were already assigned to the NCDC.
According to the society, the proposed institute is empowered to undertake disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, laboratory coordination, implementation of the International Health Regulations, public health emergency management, workforce development, research coordination, technical assistance to states, public communication and international collaboration.
It noted that these responsibilities were central to the legal mandate and operational functions of the NCDC.
The society raised concerns that establishing a parallel institution with overlapping responsibilities could fragment national public health leadership, particularly during disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
“Effective outbreak preparedness and response require clear lines of authority and accountability.
“Nigeria should avoid creating parallel structures with overlapping mandates for disease surveillance, emergency response and public health coordination,” it said.
NIDS also expressed concern over the financial implications of the proposed institute, which would include a headquarters, six zonal institutes, state offices, a governing board and an advisory council.
According to the society, available resources would yield greater public health returns if invested in strengthening existing institutions, laboratory systems, workforce development and emergency preparedness programmes.
The society further warned that creating another national public health entity could generate uncertainty among states and development partners regarding technical leadership, reporting obligations, resource allocation and emergency coordination.
It also opposed the proposal to allocate a portion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to the institute, warning that further fragmentation of the funding mechanism could affect investments in primary healthcare services, disease prevention and frontline health system strengthening.
NIDS said international best practice favoured strengthening existing national public health institutes rather than establishing multiple agencies with overlapping mandates.
The society, however, clarified that it was not opposed to strengthening infectious disease research, training and laboratory science in Nigeria.
It advocated increased investment in infectious disease research and innovation, advanced laboratory infrastructure, workforce development, antimicrobial resistance surveillance and preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
NIDS said that if policymakers considered it necessary to establish a specialised infectious disease research and training institution in Zaria, such a centre should complement and support the NCDC rather than function as a parallel national public health authority.
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The society urged the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive review of the bill and areas of overlap with the NCDC Act.
“Nigeria’s public health future will be best served by strengthening its national public health institute, not by creating a second one,” it stated.
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