The Federal Government has intensified efforts to promote a unified response to disease outbreaks, calling for stronger collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors under the One Health framework.
Speaking at the High-Level Opening of the First National One Health Workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said the government is prioritising an integrated approach to effectively tackle both human and animal diseases.
Akujobi, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, noted that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to conduct a comprehensive One Health Situational Analysis and review Nigeria’s One Health Strategic Plan 2.0 (2024–2029), while developing a more coordinated national response system.
She explained that the workshop was convened to build consensus on strategic priorities, identify investment opportunities, and establish a framework for sustained and timely intervention.
“There are still instances where sectors respond to zoonotic disease challenges independently,” she said, stressing the need for improved coordination, efficient resource utilisation, and better outcomes through integrated efforts.
The Permanent Secretary underscored the importance of extending the implementation of the One Health approach beyond the federal level to states and local governments, where many health challenges originate and are first managed.
While acknowledging progress made at the national level, Akujobi said gaps remain in coordination, capacity building, and ownership at subnational levels, which must be addressed to ensure effectiveness.
She also highlighted the need for seamless data sharing and infrastructure integration across sectors, noting that the workshop provides an opportunity for stakeholders to align priorities and deepen understanding of a more inclusive and responsive One Health system.
In her remarks, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment emphasised the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, calling for a coordinated response to Nigeria’s ecological challenges.
Similarly, the Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. Hussein Gadain, expressed optimism that the strategy review would address emerging disease threats and strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms nationwide.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by development partners, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), who reiterated their support for Nigeria’s efforts to institutionalise a robust One Health framework.
Participants at the workshop were drawn from relevant ministries, departments and agencies, academia, and development partners, reflecting a broad-based commitment to advancing a unified approach to disease prevention and control in the country.
