Posted on: Thu 12-03-2026

Key government and international agencies have intensified efforts to strengthen early warning systems in Nigeria’s health sector, with a workshop held in Lagos under the Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa initiative aimed at improving preparedness for climate-related health risks.

The workshop follows the Federal Government’s release of the Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 in 2025, which emphasised the need to establish an integrated national early warning system linking climate change, health and environmental data, with implementation planned in at least 18 states by 2030.

Speaking at the event, Head of Health at the British High Commission, Juliet Whitley, said Nigeria is making significant progress in developing systems that will enable the health sector to respond more effectively to extreme weather and climate-related emergencies.

“Nigeria is leading the way in developing an early warning system that will better enable its health sector to prepare for and respond to extreme weather. The United Kingdom is proud to support Nigeria’s commitment to building a health system that is more resilient to climate change,” she said.

Director and Head of Climate Change and Environmental Health Division at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Zakariya Mohammed, said the inclusion of health in Nigeria’s latest climate commitments provides a strong foundation for coordinated action.

“With the integration of health considerations into Nigeria’s recently submitted NDC 3.0, this workshop provides an important starting point for collaborative efforts toward establishing an operational early warning system for climate and health in Nigeria,” he stated.

Also speaking, Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer and Climate Change Desk Officer at the National Emergency Management Agency, Isa Abulkasir, said the initiative will help reduce the impact of climate-sensitive diseases and disasters across the country.

“As Nigeria integrates health into its NDC 3.0 framework, this workshop offers a timely opportunity to advance collaborative efforts toward a climate-resilient health system. NEMA remains committed to using climate information and early warning systems to mitigate health risks, strengthen community resilience and reduce the impact of disasters,” he said.

Participants at the workshop noted that the planned early warning system is expected to improve coordination between health, environment and disaster management agencies, while enhancing the country’s ability to detect, prepare for and respond to climate-related health threats.

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