Posted on: Thu 26-03-2026

The Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP) is a two-year in-service training program in field epidemiology or veterinary epidemiology or laboratory epidemiology and management. The NFELTP was created to serve a long-term program within the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW), the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), and now the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME). It trains Field Epidemiologists, Environmentalists, Public Health Laboratoryians, and Veterinary Epidemiologists for leadership positions in various levels of both the FMHSW, FME and the FMLD. The trainees provide epidemiological services to the FMHSW, FMLD, FME, State Ministries of Health, and State Ministries of Agriculture during the training, through long-term field placements. The program is currently sponsored by the FMHSW, FME, and FMLD with funding and technical support of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Program Objectives

1. Strengthen capacity to respond to public health emergencies such as outbreaks, epidemics, natural disasters, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
2. Strengthen public health, environmental and veterinary surveillance systems.
3. Strengthen laboratory capacity and its participation in surveillance and field investigation.
4. Strengthen the linkage between public health and veterinary epidemiology.
5. Conduct research activities on priority public health problems.
6. Improve communication and coordination among the country's health and veterinary system

The NFELTP will focus on training persons who are or will become field epidemiology leaders at Federal, State and Local Government levels.

Field epidemiology/public health candidates should have at least
• MBBS/MBChB, BDS degrees with certification from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
• Two years working experience in a related government position (with evidence of confirmation)
• Recommendation from the Head of Department/Ministry/Agency
• Candidates working with epidemiology and disease control programmes/units at the LGA, State and Federal level programme will have an added advantage
• Credits in at least five O level subjects (including English and Mathematics)

Those interested in the public health laboratory epidemiology and management course should have at least
• BSc degree (with a minimum of second-class upper division) in microbiology or relevant subjects
• Registration and licensing from relevant National council is an added advantage
• Have a minimum of two years’ experience in a government laboratory (with evidence of confirmation)
• Candidates working with disease control units at the LGA, State and Federal level programme will have added advantage
• Recommendation from the Head of Department/Ministry
• Credits in at least five O level subjects, including English and Mathematics

Practice Course should have at least
• DVM degree with certification from Veterinary Council of Nigeria
• Two years working experience within the Ministry of Livestock Development or other relevant State Ministries/Parastatal (with evidence confirmation)
• Recommendation from the serving Ministry/Department/Parastatal
• Candidates working with disease control units at the LGA, State and Federal level programme will have an added advantage
• Credits in at least five O level subjects (including English and Mathematics)

Acceptability requirement
Individuals accepted to the NFELTP will be required to sign a contract committing them to remain in government service for a minimum of five years following graduation.

Application Procedure
The application procedure and form at a fee of N10,000 (and a bank charge of N500.00) will be available online as from Monday March 16 to Friday April 3, 2026.
The deadline for submission of application is Friday April 3 2026.
Access the form on https://forms.abu.edu.ng/pgform and complete and submit. Incomplete and wrongly filled forms will not be considered.

After submission, a confirmation message will be sent to the applicant’s email address and telephone.

Direct questions may be addressed to the University focal person Prof. Ahmad A. Umar on 08037040253, email: [email protected], [email protected]

Examination and Interview Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an enrollment examination and will be interviewed by the FELTP National Selection Committee for final recommendation. During the interview, each candidate is expected to appear with original copies of his or her relevant credentials.

In addition, each candidate will be expected to submit his or her academic transcript, formal statement of at least 250 words explaining the candidate’s educational and career objectives and how these objectives correspond with the NFELTP, authorization/recommendation from the applicant’s employer, and photocopies of relevant credentials.

The National Selection Committee will consist of representatives from the following organizations: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Federal Ministry of Environment, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and CDC. The National Selection Committee will ensure and assure balance and equity in recruitment and selection procedures.

Expected date of commencement will be in May 2026.

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