The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed Dr Pavel Ursu as its new Representative to Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to strengthen health partnerships and improve healthcare outcomes nationwide.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed the appointment during an official announcement in Abuja, describing it as a boost for Nigeria–WHO collaboration.
“We welcome Dr Ursu to Nigeria and look forward to deepening our collaboration with WHO under his leadership,” Tuggar said.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in the country’s health system, reinforcing the need for investment in local vaccine production and health infrastructure.
“Health is not just a sector; it is a foundation for prosperity. A healthy population is empowered to seek opportunity and lift themselves out of poverty,” he added.
Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and to building a resilient, inclusive, and affordable healthcare system accessible to all citizens.
In his remarks, Dr Ursu conveyed greetings from WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus and Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership in advancing global health goals.
He praised Nigeria’s success in eradicating wild poliovirus and its integrated immunisation campaign that reached over 106 million children, adding that WHO’s largest country office in Africa is based in Nigeria — a sign of the country’s strategic importance.
Ursu outlined six strategic pillars for WHO’s continued engagement with Nigeria:
- Domestic Health Financing – Expanding fiscal space and ensuring efficient, results-based spending.
- Primary Health Care & UHC – Expanding access to quality, affordable services nationwide.
- Emergency Preparedness & Health Security – Strengthening response to epidemics and humanitarian crises.
- Data & Digital Transformation – Using real-time data and analytics to guide policy.
- Local Manufacturing & Innovation – Supporting Nigeria’s goal to become a vaccine and health technology hub.
- Health Diplomacy & Multisectoral Engagement – Elevating Nigeria’s voice on global health issues.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in its people, innovation, and reform-driven mindset. WHO will ensure our cooperation leads to measurable public health improvements,” Ursu stated.
Dr Ursu brings over 20 years of international health leadership, including service as WHO Representative in Tajikistan and Türkiye, and as Director of Delivery for Impact at WHO Headquarters in Geneva.
A physician by training, he holds a postgraduate diploma in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a Leadership Diploma from the University of Cambridge.
WHO described his appointment as timely, as Nigeria scales up efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, combat diseases, and improve maternal and child health.
