June 4, 2026
PEOC Upgrade: Nigerian President Commends eHealth Africa, Partners for Strengthening Immunization, Outbreak Response
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended eHealth Africa and other partners for their role in strengthening immunization, disease surveillance, and outbreak response in Nigeria. This followed the commissioning of upgraded Polio Emergency Operations Centres (PEOCs) in Kano, Katsina, and Sokoto states.
The President gave the commendation during the nationwide commissioning of health infrastructure projects across the country’s six geopolitical zones as part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.
The three upgraded centres, originally established in 2013 with support from the Gates Foundation and managed by eHealth Africa, were expanded, renovated, and re-equipped to improve coordination of immunization programmes, disease surveillance, and emergency outbreak response at the state level.
The Kano PEOC is located at the Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, Nassarawa, while the Katsina centre is situated within the premises of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency. The Sokoto PEOC is housed at the Epidemiology Unit of the Specialist Hospital along Sultan Abubakar Road.
The centres were initially established to support Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts but have evolved into critical public health coordination hubs supporting routine immunization, disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response to disease outbreaks.
President Tinubu, while inaugurating the projects, acknowledged the contributions of eHealth Africa and other development partners like the World Bank and the Gates Foundation to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
In a press statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and released after the commissioning, the President said the investments were aimed at ensuring that Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services regardless of their location.
“The President commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the management of NEMSAS, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, eHealth Africa, the state governors, and the federal teaching hospitals that delivered the projects.”
The President also commissioned several other health projects across the country, including the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) Emergency Response Fleet, a new specialist complex at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, a Mental Health and Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Maiduguri, and a new immunization supply chain hub in Lagos.
Health sector stakeholders have described the PEOCs as one of the key pillars supporting Nigeria’s public health architecture, particularly in the areas of immunization coverage, disease surveillance, and emergency response coordination.
Over the years, eHealth Africa has worked with government and development partners to deploy data-driven solutions and technology systems that support disease control programmes and strengthen health systems across Nigeria and other African countries.
The commissioning of the upgraded centres will enhance coordination among health agencies and improve the country’s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks while supporting efforts to increase routine immunization coverage in vulnerable communities.
