Nigeria’s renowned virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has called for a re-examination of Nigeria’s public health history, stressing that understanding the past is critical for effective epidemic prevention and response today.
Tomori spoke during a reflective session on disease control and public health on Monday in Abuja at a high-level Nigeria-China health security dialogue on pandemic preparedness and response.
He noted that Nigeria’s first public health laboratory was established in 1926, nearly a century ago.
Although the centre was not originally designed for disease control, he said it laid the foundation for scientific research and epidemic management.
“Disease prevention programmes were formally introduced decades later, in 1980, yet the historical significance of the 1926 centre is often overlooked in contemporary discussions on health security.
“Much of what we consider modern disease control builds on work done by indigenous communities and early public health workers,” he said.
According to him, they created environments that enabled research to thrive, often with personal sacrifices and additional responsibilities.
He added that they also contributed to the understanding of viruses like the Rumba virus, which informed subsequent research on epidemics such as AIDS.
Tomori reflected on the impact of the AIDS epidemic, noting that early studies provided critical lessons for both prevention and treatment.
“The benefits of early epidemic research are like a cycle — you study, respond, and adapt. That knowledge shapes the way we fight diseases today,” he said.
He criticised the reactive approach to public health in Nigeria, emphasising that many resources remain underutilised.
“We have trained thousands of technicians, yet only a fraction is fully engaged in disease surveillance and response.
“Over the last 15 years, questions about the remaining personnel have largely gone unasked. This is a missed opportunity for strengthening our health system,” he noted.
Highlighting systemic challenges, Tomori said epidemics were often managed in isolation, without coordinated national strategies.
“Local problems have historically not been handled with long-term planning. Too often, responses are reactionary, leaving gaps in prevention and community protection,” he said.
He called for a shift towards proactive disease prevention, strategic planning, and investment in local research capacity.
He said that understanding historical public health practices, including successes and missteps, was vital for Nigeria’s future health security.
“By reflecting on our history, acknowledging the work of indigenous researchers, and institutionalising preventive strategies, Nigeria can stabilise its health system and prepare for future epidemics,” he said.
The High-Level Public Health Symposium was hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Infectious Disease Institute of Nigeria.
It brought together key stakeholders to share lessons on pandemic preparedness and response from China and Nigeria.
