Reflections on Nigeria’s Public Health Administration: A Tribute to Dr Oluwatoyin Salawu

Public health in Nigeria has long been dedicated to protecting communities, preventing disease, and ensuring vulnerable populations are not left behind. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), established in 2011, emerged from various structures within the Federal Ministry of Health and has the mandate to perform disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, laboratory development, public health research, and support state management of outbreaks and emergencies.

Nigeria has faced numerous health challenges, from cholera, cerebrospinal meningitis, yellow fever, measles and smallpox to Lassa fever, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, mpox and COVID-19. Factors such as poor access to safe water and sanitation, flooding, insecurity, displacement, and inadequate financing of the health sector have compounded these challenges.

International partners and development agencies have supported Nigeria's health sector, but recent reductions and disruptions in international health assistance have highlighted the need for stronger domestic institutions and sustainable public financing.

Remembering the pioneers who laid the foundations of Nigeria's public health system is crucial. In the colonial era, medical practitioners like Dr. Orisadipe Obasa, Dr. Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara, and Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole made significant contributions to public health campaigns, smallpox control, and the establishment of institutions like the School of Hygiene in Lagos.

Post-independence, leaders such as Prof. Adetokunbo Oluwole Lucas, Prof. Umaru Shehu, Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, and Prof. Oyewale Tomori continued to shape Nigeria's public health landscape through their work in tropical diseases, immunisation efforts, and international health institutions.