Mirian Gom 
WHO Country Representative Dr Pavel Ursu presents credentials to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed Dr. Pavel Ursu as its new Country Representative to Nigeria, following the formal presentation of his credentials to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday in Abuja.
Welcoming the new envoy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the Nigerian government looks forward to deepening collaboration with WHO under Dr Ursu’s leadership.
“Health is not just a sector; it is a foundation for prosperity. A healthy population is empowered to seek opportunities and rise out of poverty,” Tuggar stated, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal health coverage and local vaccine production.
In his remarks, Dr Ursu conveyed greetings from WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Yakub Janabi, pledging to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems.
He outlined six cooperation pillars, including domestic health financing, primary healthcare, emergency preparedness, data and digital transformation, local manufacturing, and health diplomacy.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in its people, innovation, and resolve to reform,” Dr Ursu said. “WHO will ensure our cooperation delivers measurable improvements in people’s lives.”
Dr Ursu, a Romanian Moldovan physician, previously served as WHO Representative in Tajikistan, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, and most recently as Director of Delivery for Impact at WHO Headquarters in Geneva.
WHO Appoints Ursu as New Representative to Nigeria
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
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