Health
Cholera kills couple, 18 others in Lagos, Niger
Cholera outbreaks have killed 20 persons in Lagos and Niger states in the past week.
In Lagos, a couple died on Sunday at the Isolo General Hospital, after contracting the disease.
Mr. Emeto and his wife, Augustina, their daughter and a neighbour were allegedly rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital in the wee hours of Sunday.
Besides the couple, another man and a three-year-old were said to have died aslo in Isolo area of Lagos, making four deaths.
It was gathered that the victims started stooling, vomiting and exhibiting other symptoms after eating African salad, popularly called Abacha.
The Nation reported yesterday that hospitals on Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, and environs were overfilled with cholera patients, an upsurge that started since October 9.
A three-year-old died at the weekend in one of the hospitals on Ago Palace Way; a mother and her three children were also brought in unconscious to another private facility.
All the cases, sources said, were traceable to the consumption of the staple at Cele Bus Stop in the area.
Checks by our correspondent indicated that the Abacha seller at the bus stop had also been a contact point whenever there was a cholera outbreak in the state.
Abacha is a local delicacy made from fermented cassava and garnished with other ingredients like oil bean seeds, palm oil, potash, and garden eggs. However, there have been concerns about the hygiene condition during its preparation and at the point of sale.
The deaths of the Emetos, who were described as devoted Catholics, rattled fellow parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Isolo.
The residents have been advised to steer clear of the staple.
One of the voice notes shared by a man, identified simply as Romanus, confirmed the couple’s death.
He said: “Around 1 a.m (on Sunday), we got a call that we lost one of our brothers (Emeto). The report was that his wife and daughter were vomiting and stooling and he took them to the hospital.
“On getting to the hospital, he also started to stool and vomit. It was discovered that they ate Abacha on Saturday (said to have been) bought from a woman at Cele Bus Stop. The man died first and the body has been taken to the village.
“The daughter was treated.”
Another church member, who announced Mrs. Emeto’s death on Monday, said a neighbour who joined Mrs. Emeto in eating the staple also started to stool and vomit.
In Niger State, 16 persons have died out of the 165 recorded cases across the state, representing nine per cent mortality rate.
The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Dangana Ibrahim, announced the deaths in Minna, the state capital.
The commissioner said 145 patients had been treated and discharged from various hospitals.
“To prevent further spread, contingency measures have been implemented, including the distribution of essential medical supplies to affected areas and health facilities,” he said.
Ibrahim listed affected local government areas as Paiko, Gurara, Suleja, Bosso, and Katcha, saying the disease surveillance system had been activated.
The commissioner also said the government had begun active contact tracing and case management in all affected communities.
Also, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, attributed poor hygiene to cholera outbreaks.
Speaking at the Global Hand-washing Day in Abuja, the minister emphasised that inadequate sanitation and hand-washing habits put public health at serious risk.
He said: “Hand-washing with soap remains the first line of defence against outbreaks and reducing the spread of waterborne diseases.”
The minister called for accelerated investment in hygiene infrastructure in homes, schools, and public spaces to close existing gaps.
According to him, better hygiene practices are essential to improving health outcomes, reducing school absenteeism, and boosting productivity.
In a bold move to tackle the growing shortage of medical professionals, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved a significant salary increase for doctors across the state, alongside a new tax-free allowance for house officers.
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, during a press briefing, where he revealed that entry-level doctors will now earn ₦570,000 monthly, up from the previous ₦370,000.
House officers are also set to benefit, with their earnings rising from just over ₦250,000 to above ₦350,000, boosted by a newly introduced ₦100,000 tax-free “MORE Special Allowance.”
Why the Pay Raise?
According to the commissioner, the decision was driven by concerns over the low turnout of doctors in the state’s ongoing recruitment exercise.
Despite receiving over 6,000 applications for more than 700 health worker positions, the number of qualified doctors who showed up fell short of expectations—raising alarm over staffing gaps in the healthcare system.
Government’s Strategy
The state government believes the improved salary structure will:
Attract more qualified doctors
Retain existing medical professionals
Strengthen healthcare delivery across Delta State
Joseph Onojaeme also reassured the public that the recruitment process will remain strictly merit-based, stressing that no form of payment or favoritism will be tolerated.
Big Picture
With Nigeria facing an ongoing brain drain in the medical sector, Delta State’s move is seen as a strategic attempt to compete with better-paying opportunities abroad and in the private sector.
If successful, this could set a precedent for other states struggling to keep their healthcare workforce intact.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, citing what it described as the Federal Government’s plan to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of agreements reached after its 2025 industrial action.
The decision, which threatens to disrupt healthcare services across public hospitals in Nigeria, was reached at the end of the association’s virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, NARD National President, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the development as “unfortunate,” blaming the Federal Government of Nigeria for pushing doctors toward another industrial action.
“The National Executive Council was informed about the Federal Government’s decision to remove the Professional Allowance Table, a development deemed unfortunate,” he said.
“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark on a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.”
The crisis stems from the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table negotiated between NARD and the Federal Government following a prolonged strike in 2025. The agreement included improved remuneration packages for resident doctors, covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Although implementation was initially scheduled to commence in January 2026, delays pushed the rollout to February. However, NARD alleged that the government is now planning to discontinue the process by April, a move the association says undermines trust and violates prior agreements.
Healthcare analysts note that disputes over allowances and welfare have been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s health sector, contributing to frequent strikes by medical unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association. These disruptions often reduce access to healthcare services, particularly in public hospitals that cater to the majority of Nigerians.
Outlining the association’s demands, Ibrahim called for the immediate reversal of the government’s decision and settlement of all outstanding entitlements.
“We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026,” he said.
“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears in affected centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.”
“We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.”
He further urged members of the association nationwide to remain united.
“The NARD leadership calls on its members to unite in the fight against this injustice and to pursue it to a logical conclusion,” Ibrahim added.
The planned strike raises concerns about the potential impact on Nigeria’s already strained health system. Resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery in tertiary hospitals, handling a large proportion of patient care.
According to health sector data, Nigeria faces a severe shortage of medical personnel, with doctor-to-patient ratios far below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standard of one doctor to 600 patients. Estimates suggest Nigeria’s ratio is closer to one doctor per 5,000 patients, particularly in underserved areas.
An indefinite strike could lead to the shutdown of outpatient services, delays in surgeries, and increased pressure on private healthcare facilities, raising concerns among patients and health advocates.
Stakeholders have called for urgent intervention to avert another disruption in the health sector, warning that repeated strikes could worsen the ongoing brain drain among Nigerian doctors seeking better working conditions abroad.
As the strike deadline approaches, attention is now on the Federal Government to engage with NARD and resolve the dispute, with millions of Nigerians potentially affected if negotiations fail.
By Gloria Ikibah
The European Union has announced a major upgrade in its relationship with Nigeria, unveiling a €290 million investment package aimed at boosting key sectors including digitalisation, healthcare, agriculture and migration management.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Eighth Ministerial Dialogue in Abuja, co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
The funding, part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, will support seven new projects designed to strengthen economic cooperation and reflect what both parties described as a renewed political commitment to deeper bilateral ties.
Speaking at the event, Ms Kallas said: “In the current
geopolitical context, the European Union is keen to enhance its partnership with Nigeria. Bringing more EU investment to Nigeria, aligning with the Renewed Hope agenda for the Nigerian Federal Government is a key priority for both sides in this regard”.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating: “Together with Nigeria, we are investing in the modernisation of the digital sector, a stronger health system and in the development of agriculture. These Global Gateway investments create new quality infrastructures, sustainable jobs and long-term economic opportunities that benefit the Nigerian people, but also create new opportunities for Europe”.
A significant portion of the package — €131 million — is earmarked for digital development. The funding will support the expansion of broadband infrastructure, including the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, aimed at improving connectivity and reducing internet costs for millions of Nigerians currently without access. It will also fund the development of secure digital public systems and support large-scale training initiatives under Nigeria’s technical talent programme.
In the health sector, €55 million has been allocated to boost local pharmaceutical production. Through a new credit line backed by the European Investment Bank, Nigerian companies will gain access to preferential loans to support the manufacturing of medicines and vaccines. The initiative will also include vocational training programmes to build expertise within the workforce.
Agriculture is set to receive €86 million in additional support, focusing on cocoa and dairy value chains. The funding will facilitate access to finance for businesses and smallholder farmers, while also promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. The move aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to expand milk production and strengthen its cocoa exports to European markets.
Meanwhile, €16 million has been dedicated to migration-related initiatives. The funds will support the reintegration of returning migrants and enhance efforts to combat human trafficking and smuggling networks. The EU says it will continue to assist stranded migrants wishing to return home voluntarily, while also strengthening support systems to help them rebuild their lives.
The latest commitments add to existing EU-backed projects in Nigeria, including investments in transport infrastructure in Lagos, renewable energy development, democratic governance, and efforts to combat gender-based violence.
With these new agreements, total EU and Team Europe commitments to Nigeria since 2025 now stand at €962.5 million, underscoring what officials describe as a rapidly evolving and increasingly strategic partnership.
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