The Government of Japan, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has provided a $500,000 intervention package to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against recurring cholera outbreaks.
The support, which includes commodities, equipment, surveillance tools, training, and emergency preparedness materials, was officially handed over to the Federal Government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in Abuja. According to the WHO, the intervention aims to enhance the country’s capacity to detect, contain, and respond swiftly to cholera cases and reduce associated deaths.
Cholera continues to pose a major public health threat in Nigeria. Between January 1 and August 31, 2025, the country recorded 9,738 cases and 234 deaths across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the North-East and North-West regions worst affected. The WHO currently places Nigeria’s Case Fatality Rate at 2.4 per cent.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, said the support came at a critical period, noting that transmission risks remain high in communities lacking adequate water and sanitation. He described the Japanese grant as a “lifeline” for vulnerable populations.
Under the intervention, WHO procured 14 cholera kits, including 29 modules of medicines, logistics materials, equipment, and other supplies. Each kit can support the management of up to 100 cholera cases in the first weeks of an outbreak. Thousands of oral rehydration solutions and other essential treatment materials were also included.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, said the commodities were funded through Japan’s Supplementary Budget Project on Cholera Outbreak Preparedness and Response. He said the package includes diagnostic tools, rehydration supplies, logistical assistance, and training for frontline health workers through nationwide readiness workshops.
Hideo further disclosed that Japan is simultaneously funding two additional cholera-related projects in Nigeria, one executed by the UN Office for Project Services to provide medical equipment to NCDC facilities in Lagos, and another implemented by the UN Industrial Development Organisation to train food and water vendors as well as waste handlers on infection prevention. The three initiatives represent a total investment of $1.72 million.
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, said the support aligns with the National Strategic Plan of Action on Cholera Control (2025–2029) and will significantly improve surveillance, treatment, and rapid response at all levels. He said the donations include diagnostic materials, treatment kits, laboratory modules, infection control supplies, sanitation tools, and logistics support.
He noted progress in diagnostics and vaccine deployment but warned that challenges such as poor WASH infrastructure, insecurity, weak surveillance, and rising antibiotic resistance continue to drive cholera outbreaks.
WHO Emergency Team Lead, Ann Fortin, said 134 local government areas have been identified as high-risk zones, with ongoing interventions in priority communities. She added that all 36 states and the FCT have benefited from cholera readiness training under a national training-of-trainers approach. Community surveillance efforts are also underway in high-burden LGAs in Kebbi and Sokoto.
Fortin said the overall objective is to curb cholera transmission and reduce mortality across rural and underserved communities nationwide.
