Outdated state laws threaten Nigeria's disease outbreak preparedness
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention NCDC has warned that weak and outdated public health laws at the state level could hinder Nigeria's ability to prepare for and respond to future disease outbreaks. Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, speaking at the Nigeria Subnational Public Health Legal Reform Guide event in Abuja, highlighted that states bear significant responsibility for public health protection, as initial responses to outbreaks often occur at the subnational level. Despite progress in strengthening Nigeria's public health legal framework, the 2023 Joint External Evaluation still identified gaps in legal instruments, particularly at the state and local government levels. Idris, represented by Dr. Evaristus Aniaku, noted that health security involves multiple sectors and government levels. He emphasized Nigeria's obligations under the International Health Regulations to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. The NCDC DG stated that the inadequacy of some state laws became apparent during recent outbreaks, like the COVID-19 pandemic, raising questions about authority, responsibilities, disease reporting, data sharing, movement restrictions, inter-agency coordination, and emergency financing. Many states are still relying on laws enacted decades ago, which predate modern public health practices such as Emergency Operations Centres, electronic disease surveillance, modern laboratory systems, data protection, and One Health coord
