Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

The World Health Organisation’s Global Action Plan (GAP) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emphasises the need for awareness, education, and training of health workers. Globally, there are major gaps in AMR awareness and knowledge among pre-service healthcare professionals. This study evaluated the inclusion of AMR content in pre-service pharmacy curricula across five sub-Saharan African universities. This study was part of the award winning One Health Pan-African Internship Program 2020–2021, hosted by the Ducit Blue Foundation in collaboration with the African Regional Office of the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF AfRO). Five universities were included based on their students’ participation in the internship programme. The pre-service pharmacy curricula of the universities were evaluated against the WHO AMR training competency framework, followed by inductive thematic analysis, using Microsoft Excel. Results showed limited progress in the inclusion of AMR content in the pre-service curricula. Though some AMR-related topics were present, they were obscured within other subjects. Those topics included were not well aligned with antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) objectives of the AMR Global Action Plan. There are still major gaps in AMR inclusion in pre-service curricula, which may contribute to the poor AMR outcomes seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Feasibility studies are recommended to assess the costs of designing, upgrading, and implementing new curricula. Training and capacity building for pharmacy lecturers and educators are also needed to update their knowledge on current advances in AMR research. Finally, the integration strategy for implementing the curriculum should include both short-term and long-term plans, with regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure that key AMS goals are embedded at the pre-service level.

Despite the transformative impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV persists in long-lived cellular and anatomical reservoirs that reignite viral replication when treatment is interrupted. Eliminating or durably suppressing these reservoirs remains the central challenge to achieving a cure. Individuals who initiate ART during acute or early infection provide a particularly informative model, as early intervention is generally associated with reduced reservoir size, limited viral diversification, preservation of immune function, and lower levels of inflammation. These features create a valuable biological window for interrogating the earliest events of reservoir seeding and persistence. Recent advances in reservoir mapping including high-sensitivity molecular assays, full-length proviral sequencing, single-cell multi-omics, and spatial imaging have enabled increasingly refined characterization of reservoir composition, cellular identity, clonal dynamics, and tissue distribution. Studies in early-treated cohorts have identified features such as simplified clonal architecture, higher relative inducibility of intact proviruses, and, in some individuals, an increased likelihood of post-treatment control. These insights are informing the development of cure-focused interventions ranging from latency reversal and immune-based strategies to gene-editing approaches and targeted drug delivery. Nonetheless, important challenges remain, including incomplete tissue sampling, assay sensitivity limitations, and uncertainty regarding which cellular and anatomical reservoirs most critically drive viral rebound. Integrative approaches combining multi-omics profiling, predictive biomarkers, and personalized therapeutic strategies will be essential for advancing toward durable ART-free remission.

The quasi-experimental study investigated the efficacy of digital micro-teaching techniques in improving phonetic competence in English of students in secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Digital technologies provided some hopeful solutions to long-term pronunciation problems especially in educational settings where resources are limited. Intact classes were used to select 60 Senior Secondary I students (n = 30 in experimental and n = 30 in control). The experimental condition over 12 weeks was phonetic training with the use of the combined digital micro-teaching approaches, such as interactive phonetic programs, voice recognition software, VR environments, and gamified education platforms. The control group was instructed through traditional means of teaching. The pre-test-post-test design was used with the use of standardized measurement tools phonetic accuracy, pronunciation fluency, and student engagement. Quantitative data were compared with paired-samples and independent-samples t-tests, ANCOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA, whereas qualitative data (teacher interviews and student focus groups) were compared thematically. Results indicated that the experimental group had statistically significant positive changes in all outcomes measures. The phonetic accuracy significantly improved in comparison to the control group, and pronunciation fluency and the level of engagement also improved considerably. Effects of all measures were significant, representing high teaching effect. ANCOVA outcomes (adjusted by pre-test scores) proved significant treatment effects and ANOVA of repeated measures proved significant time-by-group interaction. The qualitative results supported the quantitative findings further with a high degree of acceptability, higher levels of learner motivation, and better pronunciation confidence being observed by students. Individualized feedback, more practice opportunities, and learner autonomy were mentioned as benefits of this strategy by teachers, but the issues with infrastructure and time management were observed. Lastly, the research shows that digital micro-teaching courses are a viable and pedagogical tool that can be used to enhance the teaching of phonetics in Nigerian secondary schools. The implications of the findings on the design of curriculum, professional development of teachers, and the education technology policy are significant. Hence, long-term retention, scalability, and long-term implementation models should be the subject of future research.

Niger State in central Nigeria faces a range of natural, biological, and security hazards. To inform preparedness and health security planning, a multi-hazard risk assessment was conducted using WHO’s Strategic Tool for Assessing Risks (STAR), this is one of the first applications of WHO STAR at a state level in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the WHO STAR. Stakeholders involved identified hazards across natural, biological, technological, and societal domains through review of surveillance, disaster, and meteorological data. Hazards were scored for likelihood, impact, vulnerability, and coping capacity, with composite risk indices used to rank and categorize them. Priority hazards were further analysed for seasonality and geographic distribution, and findings validated through consensus. Eighteen major hazards were identified, spanning biological, environmental, and societal. Seven hazards emerged as very high risk, notably flooding, banditry/kidnapping. Six were high risk (e.g. fire outbreaks), four moderate (e.g. acute flaccid paralysis), and one low risk (diphtheria). Six hazards showed clear seasonal patterns. Priority hazards were further examined for geographic distribution and validated through consensus. The STAR assessment produced an evidence-based risk profile highlighting flooding, banditry/kidnapping, boat mishaps, cholera, and rain/windstorms as the most critical hazards. Actionable recommendations were developed to support preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts across sectors. The findings offer a structured basis for strengthening disaster risk governance and can inform the development and implementation of Niger state’s emergency preparedness plans.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-34702-z.

Water utilities are vital for urban health and economic growth, but face sustainability challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, despite long-term investment, urban water utilities struggle with operational inefficiencies, frequent service interruptions, high non-revenue water, and low customer satisfaction. This study examined how performance monitoring can improve the operational sustainability of State Water Utilities in Nigeria. The objectives were to assess institutional performance monitoring practices and to evaluate the use of key performance indicators in tracking operations. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional case study was conducted in six urban utilities across six states. The data was collected in September 2022 through document re-views, structured questionnaires, and in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data; NVivo facilitated qualitative thematic analysis. Findings show all utilities have functional M&E departments responsible for performance monitoring activities, but M&E plan implementation varies (50%), with notable capacity gaps, inconsistent data management (only one utility has a Data Management Plan), and 7–22 indicators per utility. Baseline and target-setting are weak (pre-sent in 50% of utilities), and dissemination beyond internal reporting is limited. Recommendations include institutional reforms, capacity development, allocating 10% of budgets to performance monitoring, and embedding adaptive learning to enhance sustainability, effectiveness, and public trust.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to strengthen national health systems to better manage public health threats. The National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) helps countries implement the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) by building essential health security capacities. However, fragmented reporting and low prioritization hinder progress. To improve outcomes, systematic monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are essential for tracking progress, identifying gaps, and guiding decisions. Integrating real-time data, cross-sector coordination, and performance indicators into a unified M&E system enhances accountability and resource use. Institutionalizing NAPHS M&E across all IHR stakeholders and aligning it with national agendas will improve pandemic preparedness. The paper urges stronger political will, capacity building, and investment in health security monitoring to ensure resilience against future pandemics.

Abstract Background The WHO AFRO region, including Nigeria, targeted 2020 for measles elimination, requiring the achievement of five key indicators. Nigeria's strategy includes improving MCV1 coverage at 9 months, supplemental immunization for children aged 9–59 months, and intensified case-based surveillance. Recently, MCV2 was introduced and is being piloted. Achieving at least 95% coverage with MCV2 at 15 months is essential for herd immunity. Despite efforts, measles outbreaks persist, worsened by armed conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic in northeast Nigeria. This study aimed to describe measles seroprevalence in parts of northeast Nigeria and evaluate the correlation between measles cases and socio-demographic and risk factors using serological data. Methods A seroprevalence study was conducted in three states of northeast Nigeria among children aged 0–12 years. The study analyzed 558 serum samples for measles-specific IgM antibodies and 372 serum samples for measles-specific IgG antibodies. IgM antibodies were determined using the EUROIMMUN measles virus IgM ELISA kit, and IgG antibodies were determined using the Calbiotech measles IgG kit. The relationship between measles and socio-demographic and risk factors was analyzed using chi-square tests at P < 0.05. Results Out of 558 children, 163 (29.2%) tested positive for measles IgM antibodies, and out of 372 children, 122 (32.7%) tested positive for measles IgG antibodies. Male children (30.6%) were more affected than female children (28.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.521). The highest infection rate (40.8%) was among children aged 1–3 years. A significant number (295; 40.3%) of infected children were unvaccinated. Higher infection rates were observed among children whose parents had primary education (34.3%) and those from very low socio-economic status (33.8%). There was a statistically significant correlation (p = 0.000) between poor nutritional status (46.7%) and infection rate. Conclusion These data confirm the presence of the measles virus among children and highlight the burden of the disease in northeast Nigeria. A second vaccine dose must be considered a national priority to address the failures of the first dose and to adhere to WHO recommendations for measles control and elimination.

Klebsiella pneumoniae possesses a range of virulence factors that enable this bacterium to colonize, persist, adhere to host tissues, invade, and cause disease. The pathogen poses a significant risk to immunocompromised individuals and those with pre-existing health conditions. This research focused on assessing the virulence traits and biofilm-forming abilities of K. pneumoniae isolates in Nigeria. Clinical samples were collected from 420 patients across seven tertiary hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria between February 2018 and July 2019. Standard microbiological procedures were employed to identify Klebsiella isolates. The presence of six specific virulence genes was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR): fimH, kfu, rmpA, uge, wcaG, and aero_1. Additionally, PCR was utilized to identify capsular serotypes K1, K2, and K5. A substantial proportion (82%) of K. pneumoniae isolates demonstrated the ability to form biofilms. Of these, 51 isolates (39.8%) were classified as strong biofilm producers, 54 (42.2%) as moderate, and 23 (17.9%) showed no biofilm production. Among the virulence genes detected, uge was the most common (68.0%), followed by fimH (65.6%), aero_1 (63.3%), kfu (29.7%), rmpA (28.1%), and wcaG (14.1%). Statistically significant correlations were found between biofilm formation and the presence of aero_1, fimH, kfu, and rmpA. In terms of capsular serotypes, the majority of isolates were non-K1/K2/K5 (84.4%), with lower frequencies observed for K2 (7.0%), K1 (5.5%), and K5 (3.1%). This study highlights that the aero_1, fimH, and uge genes are frequently present in K. pneumoniae isolates from this region, and that these strains often carry multiple virulence genes. The strong virulence potential and biofilm-forming capacity of these isolates underscore a significant public health threat, particularly in vulnerable populations.