The Federal Government has announced plans to integrate emergency health education into Nigeria’s primary and secondary school curriculum, in a bid to strengthen health security and preparedness nationwide.
The initiative was unveiled during the Emergency Health Education Curriculum Conference, jointly organised by the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
According to a statement released Tuesday, the conference marked “a significant milestone in advancing health security and emergency preparedness across Nigeria’s education sector,” bringing together stakeholders from health, education, policy, and emergency response.
Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of NERDC, stressed the importance of embedding emergency health knowledge in schools.
“Institutionalising Emergency Health Education in the national curriculum is a proactive strategy for building resilient communities. It will foster a culture of preparedness from an early age,” he said.
Chairman of HEI’s Board of Trustees, Emmanuel Imafidon, described the collaboration as “a landmark achievement in aligning emergency health awareness with national educational standards,” reaffirming HEI’s commitment to ensuring that every child acquires life-saving skills.
The conference featured presentations from over 20 experts, including medical consultants and certified trainers, alongside practical demonstrations such as basic first aid for road traffic accidents and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
HEI’s Executive Director, Paschal Achunine, confirmed that emergency health content would be integrated into core subjects in both public and private schools.
“Emergency Health Education will be embedded into relevant subjects nationwide, and a standalone curriculum module will be developed to further strengthen the initiative,” Achunine said.
He added that the rollout would be complemented by the Health Emergency Rapid Aid initiative, designed to enhance rapid response capabilities and reinforce practical learning.
Stakeholders concluded the conference with a pledge to accelerate policy adoption, deepen collaboration across sectors, and ensure nationwide implementation.
