Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC20259 (Oral 021) | Published:  14 Aug 2025

Enhancing regional collaboration for disease control in Nigeria

Olusegun Adeniyi Oyeyemi1,&, Ayodele Shola Alegbeleye2

1Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR), Abuja, Nigeria, 2Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Enugu, Nigeria

&Corresponding author: Olusegun Adeniyi Oyeyemi, Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR), Abuja, Nigeria, Email: oyeyemiadeniyi@gmail.comOlusegun.adeniyi@solinagroup.com

Received: 24 Mar 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 14 Aug 2025

Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology

This is part of the Proceedings of the ECOWAS 2nd Lassa fever International Conference in Abidjan, September 8 – 11, 2025

Keywords: Regional Coordination, Public Health Emergencies, Surveillance, Nigeria, Disease Outbreak Response, Health Security

©Olusegun Adeniyi Oyeyemi et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cite this article: Olusegun Adeniyi Oyeyemi et al., Enhancing regional collaboration for disease control in Nigeria. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(Conf Proc 5):00021. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00021

Introduction

Nigeria continues to grapple with recurrent public health emergencies such as Lassa fever, cholera, and COVID-19. These outbreaks reveal persistent systemic weaknesses in coordination and response, particularly at regional levels. The need for integrated collaboration frameworks is urgent to enhance outbreak preparedness and mitigate future health crises.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was employed, including desk review of outbreak reports, policies, and operational guidelines. Data were collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and stakeholder consultations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These engagements explored lived experiences, coordination structures, and challenges encountered during past outbreaks. Coordination mechanisms were analyzed to identify systemic gaps and opportunities for regional improvement.

 

Results

Findings highlighted poor inter-agency collaboration, fragmented response systems, weak surveillance data flows, and limited regional-level emergency preparedness. The analysis revealed duplication of efforts, communication gaps, and uncoordinated funding mechanisms among stakeholders.

Conclusion

A Regional Disease Control Coordination Model (RDCCM) was developed to promote integrated surveillance, interoperable data systems, shared simulation exercises, and unified resource mobilization. Institutionalizing such a model can foster efficient, timely, and sustainable responses to public health threats in Nigeria. Regional collaboration offers a scalable solution for strengthening national health security.

 

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Keywords

  • Regional Coordination
  • Public Health Emergencies
  • Surveillance
  • Nigeria
  • Disease Outbreak Response
  • Health Security
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