Stakeholders have emphasised the need for a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach as a crucial strategy to eliminate cholera in Nigeria.
They made this known during the launch of the National Strategic Plan of Action on Cholera Control (NSPACC) 2025-2029 on Tuesday in Abuja. The $124 million initiative aims to eradicate cholera in the country through a multi-sectoral approach that integrates health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and community-driven solutions.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the Federal Ministry of Environment, is leading efforts to strengthen cholera prevention and response. Experts at the event stressed that multi-sectoral collaboration, proactive preparedness and sustained WASH investment are key to achieving this goal.
Speaking at the event, cholera incident manager at the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Beatrice Muraguri stated that WHO has been working closely with the NCDC, state authorities and partners like UNICEF to strengthen cholera response efforts.
She noted that WHO recently developed a cholera case management guideline to address treatment gaps, focusing on improved sample collection, transportation and data management, capacity building for disease tracking and response and readiness training across geopolitical zones to prevent large-scale outbreaks.
Recognising that health outcomes are closely linked to water, sanitation, and environmental factors, Muraguri emphasised that broader government and partner engagement is essential for cholera prevention. She added that, just as malaria has been controlled in some regions, cholera prevention in Nigeria is achievable with sustained efforts.
Head of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GFTCC) secretariat and WHO team lead for cholera and epidemic diarrhoeal diseases, Dr. Philippe Barboza highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s NSPACC, which builds on previous cholera prevention efforts from 2018 to 2022.
Barboza explained that the plan is structured around nine thematic pillars, integrating COVID-19 and cholera prevention, hospital preparedness, and multi-sectoral interventions. He noted that the PAMI mapping, endorsed in December 2024, prioritizes 134 high-burden areas, which account for 71 per cent of cholera cases and 66 per cent of deaths in Nigeria.
He further emphasised that the GFTCC supports Nigeria’s cholera vaccine deployment as part of a broader, multi-sectoral approach aligned with global best practices.
“With effective NSPACC implementation, Nigeria aims to reduce cholera incidence and deaths by 90 per cent by 2029 and emerge as a regional leader in cholera control across West and Central Africa,” he said.
Barboza also warned that the unprecedented cholera surge in 2024 underscores the urgent need for sustained investment and decisive action.
Coordinator of the cholera country support platform at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Ms. Annika Wendland stressed the importance of a united, multi-sectoral approach to cholera control and elimination.
She cautioned that without Nigeria’s success in cholera control, the global goal of eliminating cholera as a public health threat will not be achieved.
“Cholera disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and exposes gaps in essential services such as healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). However, cholera is preventable and treatable with existing technology, knowledge, and resources,” Wendland said.
Head of delegation at the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation for West Africa, Mr. Bhupinder Tomar reinforced that investing in WASH development is crucial to reducing the health sector’s burden and preventing outbreaks.
Tomar urged the Nigerian government, international partners and relevant ministries to collaborate in securing the necessary investments for cholera control.
He stressed that to reduce Nigeria’s cholera case fatality rate from over 3 per cent to below 1 per cent by 2029, significant domestic and international funding is required.
“The launch of Nigeria’s cholera control plan provides a clear roadmap, but success depends on real action and financial commitments from both the government and partners,” he said.
Tomar reaffirmed the Red Cross’s commitment to cholera control efforts and urged all stakeholders to actively support the fight to end cholera in Nigeria.
As Nigeria battles a resurgent cholera outbreak, stakeholders agree that a proactive, multi-sectoral and well-funded strategy is essential to achieving cholera control and elimination.
Strong government leadership, global partnerships, and community-driven interventions are key to significantly reducing cholera incidence by 90 per cent by 2029 and positioning Nigeria as a regional leader in cholera control.
Stakeholders noted that with this launch, Nigeria is reinforcing its commitment to cholera elimination through a coordinated, evidence-based and well-funded approach.
