The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed Dr Pavel Ursu as its new Representative to Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to strengthen health partnerships and improve healthcare outcomes across the country.
Announcing the appointment in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed Ursu and expressed optimism that his leadership would deepen collaboration between Nigeria and the WHO.
Tuggar noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed critical gaps in Nigeria’s health system, underscoring the need to build a resilient and self-reliant healthcare infrastructure. He said Nigeria was determined to strengthen local production of vaccines and medical products to ensure greater preparedness for future health emergencies.
“Health is not just a sector; it is the foundation of prosperity,” Tuggar said. “A healthy population is empowered to seek opportunity and lift itself out of poverty.”
He highlighted Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a major national priority and called for inclusive, affordable healthcare for all Nigerians. Tuggar also commended Nigeria’s achievements in global health diplomacy and urged renewed engagement with international partners to address emerging global health challenges.
In his address, Dr Ursu conveyed greetings from WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus and the Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership in advancing health initiatives.
He praised Nigeria’s progress in eradicating wild poliovirus and its nationwide immunisation campaigns, noting that WHO’s largest country office in Africa is based in Nigeria evidence of the country’s strategic importance to regional health development.
Ursu outlined six pillars guiding WHO’s partnership with Nigeria: domestic health financing, primary healthcare and UHC, emergency preparedness, data and digital transformation, local manufacturing and innovation, and health diplomacy.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in its people, innovation, and reform-driven mindset,” Ursu said. “WHO will ensure our cooperation leads to measurable public health improvements.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving better health outcomes for all citizens, saying he was honoured to serve as WHO Representative.
WHO described Ursu as a seasoned global health leader with more than 20 years of experience in health system reforms, emergency response, and international coordination. He has held senior positions in Tajikistan, Türkiye, Moldova, and at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, where he led strategic reforms to strengthen country health systems.
His appointment comes at a crucial time as Nigeria intensifies efforts to enhance primary healthcare, combat diseases, improve maternal and child health, and achieve Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WHO expressed confidence that Dr Ursu’s leadership would help advance Nigeria’s health priorities through innovation, stronger partnerships, and sustainable development.
