The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in collaboration with state representatives, legal experts,
and key stakeholders, convened a four-day workshop to assess and strengthen public health laws across
Nigeria. Representatives from Orixine Consulting were pleased to contribute their expertise and insights
to this critical regional legal assessment meeting, aimed at enhancing the nation’s public health legal
framework.
Key highlights included presentations on the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), subnational
legal assessments, and thematic discussions covering surveillance, zoonotic diseases, immunization, and
gender equity. Participants worked collaboratively to review legal frameworks, identify gaps, and
propose actionable recommendations.
The workshop culminated with the identification of two critical needs: the revision of Public Health and
Animal Disease Laws to regulate points of entry and the enactment of a comprehensive Public Health
Security Law. Participants emphasized the importance of involving legal professionals in public health
advocacy and consolidating public health laws for accessibility and consistency.
In her closing remarks, Barr. Amira Abubakar, Legal Adviser to NCDC, expressed gratitude to the
participants for their dedication and encouraged them to champion advocacy for strengthening public
health laws in their states. The workshop concluded with a commitment to draft and validate the
assessment report, review the Public Health Security Bill, and convene expanded stakeholder meetings
for further deliberation.
This workshop, enriched by contributions from organizations such as Orixine Consulting, marks a
significant step towards bolstering Nigeria’s legal frameworks for effective disease prevention and
response, fostering collaboration across sectors, and promoting robust health governance.