In a significant step toward strengthening public health governance and health security in Nasarawa State, Orixine Consulting and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) partnered with the Nasarawa State Government to convene the state’s first Citizen Town Hall Engagement on the Public Health Legal Reform Project. Held in Lafia on January 29, 2025, the meeting aimed to engage civil society organisations (CSOs), lawmakers, and community leaders in shaping the Nasarawa State Public Health Security Bill 2024, currently under review by the State House of Assembly.

The gathering drew representatives from key government agencies, including the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Environment, Justice, and Local Government Affairs, alongside members of the State House of Assembly, civil society organisations, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), Resolve to Save Lives, Orixine Consulting, and the media. Religious and community leaders were also in attendance, underscoring the broad-based support for the initiative.

Dr. Isaac Edoh, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, represented by Barrister Adi Adoku Mohammed, emphasised the bill’s significance, stating that it was currently under legislative review and that the ministry remained committed to its passage. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Akpan, reinforced this message, stressing that a robust legal framework was essential for enhancing disease surveillance, epidemic preparedness, and response efforts.

During the event, Dr. Akpan delivered a presentation titled, “Enhancing Health Security in Nasarawa State: The Need for a Strong Legal Framework for Disease Surveillance and Epidemic Preparedness.” He highlighted the pressing need for comprehensive policies to safeguard the state against public health threats.

Barrister Justina Alluu, Director of the Public Defender Department at the Ministry of Justice, provided an overview of the bill’s provisions. She explained that the draft legislation had undergone a multisectoral review to ensure a holistic approach to public health security.

The town hall’s plenary session featured contributions from representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who voiced strong support for the proposed bill. They also underscored the importance of collaboration between agencies and expanding public awareness of the legislation, particularly on preventing the spread of infectious diseases across communities.

As the session concluded, Barrister Alhasan Sabo, Director of Legal Drafting at the Ministry of Justice, expressed gratitude to participants, reiterating the government’s commitment to pushing the bill through the legislative process. Barrister Emem Udoh, Senior Legal Advisor at Resolve to Save Lives, acknowledged the collective effort that made the town hall possible and emphasised the need for continued stakeholder engagement in the coming months. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in Nasarawa State’s public health governance, signalling a coordinated push for legal reforms that could significantly bolster health security and epidemic preparedness in the region.