Emmanuel Daudu
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially welcomed Dr. Pavel Ursu as its new Country Representative to Nigeria, marking a new chapter in the organization’s partnership with the Federal Government. Dr. Ursu presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja on Monday, signaling the start of what both parties described as a strengthened era of collaboration in public health and development.
Welcoming the new representative, Ambassador Tuggar commended WHO’s continued support for Nigeria’s health priorities, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed critical gaps in the nation’s health systems and underscored the urgency for local manufacturing of medical products.
“Health is not just a sector, it is the foundation for prosperity. A healthy population is empowered to seek opportunities and rise out of poverty,” Ambassador Tuggar said.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health diplomacy aligns with the Ministry’s twin mandate of national development and international engagement, adding that “new realism” now defines global partnerships in a post-pandemic world one anchored on equity and resilience.
In his address, Dr. Ursu conveyed greetings from WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi.
He commended Nigeria’s leadership in global health, citing achievements such as the certification of wild poliovirus eradication and the recent immunization campaign that reached over 106 million children.
Highlighting Nigeria as home to WHO’s largest country office in Africa, Dr. Ursu reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the country’s vision for improved health outcomes. He noted that WHO will work with the Nigerian government to expand fiscal space for health and promote efficient, results-driven investments. He added that the organization would intensify efforts to ensure quality and affordable primary healthcare across all states and local government areas, while strengthening the country’s resilience to epidemics, climate shocks, and humanitarian crises.
Dr. Ursu also emphasized the importance of harnessing data and digital transformation to enable evidence-based health decisions, alongside advancing local manufacturing and innovation to position Nigeria as a regional hub for vaccine and medical technology production. He further highlighted the need to deepen health diplomacy and multisectoral engagement to amplify Nigeria’s role in global health platforms and regional partnerships.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in its people, innovation, and resolve to reform,” Dr. Ursu noted. “WHO will ensure that our partnership translates into measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Dr. Ursu brings over two decades of distinguished experience with WHO, spanning Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Director of the Department of Delivery for Impact at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, where he led key initiatives to strengthen global health systems.
His past roles include serving as WHO Representative in Tajikistan (2010–2015) and in Türkiye (2015–2020), where he received the WHO Director-General’s Award for leadership during the Syrian refugee crisis. He also served as Acting WHO Representative in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and as Head of the WHO Country Office in Moldova.
A physician by training, Dr. Ursu holds a Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a Master’s in Health Services Management, and a Diploma in High Impact Leadership from the University of Cambridge.
Dr. Ursu’s appointment comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, combat infectious and noncommunicable diseases, and boost health emergency preparedness.
“I am honoured to serve as WHO Representative to Nigeria and look forward to working closely with national authorities, development partners, and communities to advance health for all,” Dr. Ursu stated.
The World Health Organization reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving Universal Health Coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as both parties chart a path toward a healthier and more equitable future.
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