Bracing Nigeria’s health sector for 2025

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With 2025 already begun, the state of Nigeria’s health sector is under scrutiny, amid pressing questions about its readiness to confront emerging disease threats. The sobering reality of disease outbreaks in recent years, from the Ebola crisis of 2014 to the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring battles with endemic diseases like Lassa fever and cholera, has made it clear that health emergencies are not a matter of if, but when. With a population exceeding 200 million, the country’s preparedness is not merely a priority—it is a necessity.

The statistics from the previous year paint a stark picture. Nearly 1,000 lives were lost to diseases such as Lassa fever, diphtheria, and meningitis, alongside emerging threats like the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and the Marburg virus, which loom on the horizon. While institutions like the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) have shown promising leadership, their efforts will falter without systemic and strategic improvements. This is not the time for complacency; it is the time for decisive action.

In recent years, Nigeria has demonstrated flashes of potential in its response to health crises. The mobilisation during COVID-19, from the rollout of vaccines to the establishment of isolation centres, showed what could be achieved with political will and coordinated effort. Agencies like the NCDC have bolstered disease surveillance, while the NIMR has reaffirmed its readiness to tackle emerging threats. Yet, these achievements are a fragile veneer over deeper structural challenges. Hospitals remain overcrowded and underfunded, rural areas are starved of basic healthcare, and the national health budget continues to fall woefully short of the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration target, hovering at just 5.46 per cent in 2024.

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The cracks in the country’s health system are compounded by a dire shortage of healthcare professionals. The “brain drain” of skilled workers emigrating for better opportunities leaves the country struggling to meet even the most basic medical needs, particularly in rural areas. This exodus, coupled with reliance on imported medical supplies, leaves the nation vulnerable and dependent. Issuing tax waivers on pharmaceutical imports, as the government did in 2024, is a short-term measure that does little to address the underlying issues.

To brace Nigeria’s health sector for the challenges of 2025 and beyond, bold and decisive steps must be taken. First, the government must prioritise investments in healthcare infrastructure. This involves not just refurbishing existing facilities but constructing new ones in underserved regions. These facilities must be equipped with modern technology and staffed with skilled personnel who are incentivised to remain in the country through competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and clear career development pathways.

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Second, local manufacturing of medical supplies should be elevated to a matter of national urgency. The establishment of domestic production plants for vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and protective equipment would significantly reduce dependence on imports and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond swiftly during outbreaks. This approach also aligns with broader economic objectives, creating jobs and stimulating local industries.

Third, the gaps in disease surveillance and response systems must be closed. Real-time data collection and reporting systems should be expanded to cover the entire nation, ensuring that outbreaks are identified and addressed before they spiral out of control. Investments in digital health technologies can streamline contact tracing, testing, and logistics, enabling rapid deployment of resources where they are most needed.

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Finally, the government must deepen partnerships with international organisations, private sector players, and non-governmental organisations to leverage expertise and funding. Collaborative efforts can bridge gaps in capacity and ensure that Nigeria’s health system is not isolated but integrated into the global fight against infectious diseases.

The stakes could not be higher. A well-prepared health sector does more than save lives—it underpins economic stability, national security, and public trust. Nigerians deserve a system that safeguards their health and dignity, and 2025 offers an opportunity to take the decisive actions needed to make this vision a reality. The question is not whether the country can rise to the challenge—it is whether it will. Let this be the year that the nation chooses resilience, innovation, and progress in the face of adversity. The time to act is now.

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