In 2020, the Covid-19 emergency briefly catapulted public health to the top of the government agenda in Nigeria. As the health crisis unfolded globally, it became clear that most people in the country were spared from severe sickness or death due to the pandemic, in contrast to many other countries, especially in the developed world.
Albeit encouraging, this should not detract attention from Nigeria’s multiple public health challenges that require priority attention. If anything, the pandemic-induced urgency must be sustained, to prepare for the likely more complex health challenges in the future. Evidence-based planning, resource mobilisation and intelligent allocation is essential, as health holds the key to both human development and a productive economy.
