A specialist from UNICEF, Olayinka Afolabi, has explained why states like Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun in southwest Nigeria are at risk of cholera outbreaks.
He said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) found that poor sanitation in these states is the main reason for cholera outbreaks from time to time.
Afolabi shared this information in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, during the start of a 3-day emergency preparedness workshop. The workshop was for southwest states and Edo State to prepare for floods and other emergencies.
The event, called the Multi-Sectoral Emergency Preparedness Workshop, was organized by the Oyo State Government and UNICEF to improve how states get ready for floods and cholera outbreaks.
Using NEMA’s data from July (week 30), Afolabi said there were 64 suspected cholera cases but no deaths, which means the fatality rate was 0%.
He also mentioned that this was a 74% drop in cholera cases compared to the week before.
From the beginning of 2025 to week 30, there have been 113 deaths from 4,708 suspected cholera cases, giving a fatality rate of 2.4%.
He said that 35 states in Nigeria have reported at least one suspected case of cholera this year, affecting 199 local government areas.
Afolabi highlighted four important steps in emergency planning: risk analysis, possible scenarios, expected responses, and being prepared.
He said that emergencies are a part of life, but when communities are not prepared, the effects are often worse, and recovery is slower.
He urged everyone to focus on reducing disaster risks and being better prepared.
Afolabi encouraged all levels of government to support and fund agencies responsible for handling disasters and emergencies.
He quoted a saying: “If you spend \$2 on being prepared for an emergency, you can save \$6 to \$8 that would have been spent if the emergency actually happens.”
Oluwasola Olanipekun from UNICEF explained that the goal of the workshop is to improve how states handle emergencies effectively.
He said that during emergencies, women and children are the most at risk, so plans should focus on protecting them.
He emphasized that every state should follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when responding to emergencies.
In his opening speech, Rotimi Babalola, a top official from the Oyo State Ministry of Information, said the workshop aims to improve how states and stakeholders work together during emergencies.
He stressed that emergencies require quick, organized, and united action, which is why being prepared is very important.
He urged participants to take part actively, share ideas, and use what they learn from the workshop in their home states.
“Emergencies often happen without warning,” Babalola said. “We need to act fast and work together across all sectors and states.”
He said he hopes that the knowledge, plans, and partnerships formed during the workshop will help save lives, reduce risks, and protect communities.
