While global health funding shrinks, Nigeria took a different path. Through strategic collaboration with local and international partners, it made major health security gains. The Global Health Advocacy Incubator reveals how smart partnerships helped make this transformation possible. Visit https://www.advocacyincubator.org/news/2025-02-18-building-health-security-in-nigeria-a-partnership-for-progress
Let's talk about something most countries don't usually get right—health security during a global funding crunch. While international support for public health has been shrinking, Nigeria has been quietly rewriting the playbook. And the results? Genuinely impressive.
The Global Health Advocacy Incubator—or GHAI—just dropped a new report titled "Building Health Security in Nigeria: A Partnership for Progress." And it shows how a strategy rooted in collaboration has helped Nigeria step up, scale up, and stand out on the continent.
So what actually changed?
Well, first, the numbers. Nigeria's health emergency preparedness score jumped from 39 percent to 54 percent. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention got a record two-point-nine billion Naira to boost disease surveillance and response. And on top of that, the Nigerian Senate approved 300 billion Naira—that's around 200 million U.S. dollars—for broader public health investment.
These aren't just budget wins. They’re outcomes of real multisectoral collaboration—where ministries, civil society, and global partners work side by side. GHAI played a key role here, teaming up with groups like LISDEL and BudgIT to secure funding and push meaningful policy changes forward. It wasn't charity. It was shared strategy. And those partnerships also helped Nigeria fully allocate almost 80 million dollars toward its own immunization program and fulfill 25 percent of its co-financing obligations for Gavi-supported vaccines.
Now, here's why that matters. Every dollar spent on vaccines saves 21 dollars in direct health costs—and up to 54 dollars when you factor in long-term economic benefits. So these aren't just health wins. They're serious ROI.
But let's be clear—it's not perfect yet. The report also points out some big gaps in primary healthcare, especially around hypertension. Up to 38 percent of Nigerians are affected, but only 8 percent of women and 5 percent of men get diagnosed. That's a huge opportunity for better screening and treatment access—and it's where cross-sector collaboration can keep pushing forward.
At a time when many nations are pulling back, Nigeria's showing what's possible when you lean into partnerships and think long-term.
From epidemic readiness to vaccine access to health financing—this is a replicable blueprint. And if you're working in public health, policy, or systems strengthening, you'll want to study this approach.
Want the full breakdown? Strategies, partnerships, results—it’s all laid out. Check it out by clicking on the link in the description. Global Health Advocacy Incubator City: Washington Address: 1400 I Street Northwest Website: https://www.advocacyincubator.org/