Five years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across Nigeria, exposing weaknesses in the health system while also sparking resilience and innovation. Healthcare workers, journalists, virologists, laboratory scientists, and environmental health experts played key roles in the collective fight against the pandemic.
By Abujah Racheal
Today, the experiences and lessons learned during the pandemic continue to guide Nigeria’s efforts to build a safer, healthier future.
When COVID-19 reached Nigeria in February 2020, the response was swift but severely strained.
Nationwide lockdowns were imposed, borders closed, and isolation and testing centres established.
Yet, gaps in infrastructure, inadequate medical supplies, and limited testing capacity presented enormous challenges. In spite of these struggles, Nigeria achieved notable milestones.
Molecular laboratories for COVID-19 testing were established in record time, expanding from a handful to over 120 nationwide by mid-2021.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) spearheaded efforts in contact tracing and public risk communication, keeping communities informed and engaged.
Dr Emmanuel Johnson, a frontline healthcare worker in Lagos, recalled the immense pressure in the early days.
“The pandemic tested our limits but showed how quickly we could adapt,” he said.
Virologists were instrumental in combating the virus as Genomic sequencing helped identify variants like Delta and Omicron, thereby shaping public health strategies.
Prof. Christian Happi, Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), noted, “Genomic surveillance became our compass for guiding interventions and vaccine strategies”.
Laboratory scientists like Dr Ifeanyi Eze worked to ensure accurate testing, strengthening Nigeria’s diagnostic capabilities for other diseases.
Environmental health officers also played a role, ensuring public spaces were sanitised and safe.
“Proper sanitation and waste management were critical during the pandemic,” said Mr Tunde Akintola, an environmental health officer.
Journalists tackled misinformation alongside the virus.
According to Mrs Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Editor at The Sun, “Journalists were a critical bridge between the public and health authorities, promoting vaccination campaigns and addressing conspiracy theories”.
Grassroots efforts were crucial, with community leaders countering misinformation and faith-based groups distributing masks, sanitisers, and food during lockdowns.
Public health expert Dr Aisha Bello said, “The pandemic showed that trust and collaboration at the grassroots level are essential for effective health interventions”.
However, vaccine production remains a challenge.
With the establishment of Biovaccines Nigeria Limited, the country has yet to manufacture COVID-19 or other vaccines.
Stakeholders cite funding constraints, limited technology transfer, and a lack of skilled personnel.
Prof. Oyewale Tomori, a virologist, stressed, “Relying on global supply chains leaves Nigeria vulnerable. Local vaccine production is non-negotiable for pandemic preparedness”.
The pandemic revealed the importance of investing in primary healthcare, disease surveillance, and interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, scientists, and policymakers.
Vaccine hesitancy, unequal resource distribution, and misinformation continue to hinder progress.
In comparison to South Africa and Rwanda, which leveraged stronger health systems for mass testing and vaccinations, Nigeria’s response was commendable but could have been more effective.
Learning from these examples requires increased investment in health infrastructure and improved governance.
Globally, the pandemic has sparked discussions on preparedness.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), recently said, “The world is both more prepared and less prepared for the next pandemic. Transparency and cooperation are key”.
As Nigeria reflects on the pandemic’s lessons, stakeholders emphasise the need to prioritise local vaccine production, strengthen health infrastructure, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
The resilience and determination of Nigerians remain the country’s greatest assets in building a healthier future.
