✍️ Editor’s Note
This week’s roundup captures the major health and development issues that shaped conversations in Nigeria and across Africa. From Nigeria’s maternal mortality crisis and the Borno cholera outbreak to efforts to reach zero-dose children, strengthen food security and advance vaccine research, these stories highlight the policies, innovations and challenges influencing public health.
🔟 Top 10 Stories This Week

🔟 WHO Rallies Countries to Defeat Meningitis by 2030
The World Health Organization renewed global efforts to eliminate meningitis by 2030, encouraging countries including Nigeria to strengthen vaccination, …

9️⃣ NAFDAC Begins Nationwide Alcohol Ban Enforcement
NAFDAC’s enforcement of the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol and other small-pack alcoholic beverages generated widespread debate around public health, youth protection and regulatory compliance …

8️⃣ Experts Push Mandatory Food Fortification to Prevent Birth Defects
Nutrition experts intensified calls for mandatory food fortification to reduce birth defects and improve maternal and child health, sparking policy discussions on preventive nutrition …

7️⃣ UNICEF Urges Lagos to Boost Child Nutrition Funding
UNICEF’s call for increased investment in child nutrition placed renewed focus on malnutrition, stunting and the need for sustained government funding to improve child health outcomes …

6️⃣ Lassa Fever Deaths Climb Despite Drop in New Cases
Nigeria’s rising Lassa fever death toll highlighted persistent gaps in early diagnosis, case management and disease surveillance despite declining infection rates…

5️⃣ World’s First Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccine Trial Begins
The launch of the world’s first clinical trial for a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine marked a significant milestone in global epidemic preparedness and Africa’s fight against emerging infectious diseases…

4️⃣ FG Unveils 10-Year Agrifood Strategy to Boost Food Security
The Federal Government’s new 10-year Agrifood System Strategy signalled a major policy shift aimed at strengthening food production, nutrition, climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development…

3️⃣ Borno Cholera Outbreak Kills 198, Infects 35,500
The worsening cholera outbreak in Borno emerged as one of the week’s most urgent public health emergencies, raising concerns over water, sanitation, disease surveillance and humanitarian response…

2️⃣ Nigeria Offers Food, Transport to Reach Zero-Dose Children
Nigeria’s innovative strategy of providing food items, transport support and flexible vaccination schedules to reach zero-dose children attracted national attention as the country intensified efforts to improve routine immunisation coverage…

1️⃣ Why Nigerian Women Are Still Dying in Childbirth Despite Years of Investment – UNFPA
Africa Health Report’s exclusive interview with UNFPA Nigeria Country Representative Muriel Mafico led the week’s conversation on maternal health…
