Lagos State, in collaboration with the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment (GET) Consortium, launched the 10th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity today, bringing together global experts, policymakers, and stakeholders. Held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, the two-day conference centers on Africa’s preparedness against global health threats, with the theme: “From Ebola to COVID-19 and Beyond: Strengthening Africa’s Capacity to Address Emerging Global Health Security Threats.”

Inaugurating the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, emphasized Lagos’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure to protect against biosecurity risks. “Lagos—with its dense, rapidly growing population—is especially susceptible to infectious outbreaks,” Sanwo-Olu remarked. “It is imperative we enhance our biosecurity readiness, not just for ourselves, but as a model for the continent.”

Prominent figures, including former Lagos Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Lagos Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi, Special Adviser on Health Dr. (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, and GET Consortium’s Chief Operating Officer Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye, attended the opening. Their presence underscored the importance of biosecurity as an issue intertwining health, environmental sustainability, and national security.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the decade-long partnership between Lagos and GET, which has turned Lagos into a hub for biosecurity innovation. “This conference is a testament to our shared resilience,” he noted, encouraging delegates to collaborate in crafting Africa-centric solutions to mitigate health threats and reduce reliance on external aid during crises.

Sanwo-Olu advocated for a robust One Health approach—integrating human, animal, and environmental health—to address interconnected threats. “Our vision is for Africa to lead globally in sustainable health policies,” he said, promoting local research, indigenous medical technology, and self-sufficiency in vaccines and medical supplies.

He emphasized that as Africa faces rising health risks, the African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity has become a vital forum for exploring policy frameworks, technological innovation, and regional cooperation. He concluded by urging attendees to recognize the interconnectedness of health, environment, and security, stressing that biosecurity is a shared responsibility.

Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, also delivered remarks, underscoring the need for a coordinated approach to health security in Africa. He highlighted the urgency of addressing health and environmental challenges within the One Health framework, integrating human, animal, and environmental health to prevent and manage diseases.

Fashola noted that Africa’s rapid urbanization and population growth heighten its vulnerability to biosecurity threats, stressing that proactive planning is essential for resilient communities. He praised Lagos State’s leadership in advancing health security initiatives and encouraged other African states to follow its example. Fashola emphasized that investing in biosecurity measures and promoting awareness could better prepare Africa for future health threats.

Calling for stronger public-private partnerships, Fashola stressed that governments alone cannot bear the entire burden of health security, especially in low-resource settings. Drawing on his experiences as governor, he urged stakeholders to leverage private sector expertise to enhance health systems. He praised the achievements of the Lagos State Ministry of Health in protecting residents and highlighted the need for preventive health measures continent-wide.

Mr. Fashola appealed for more investment in health research and data-driven policies, arguing that evidence-based strategies are crucial for effective biosecurity management. He stated that Africa’s resilience relies on localized solutions tailored to its challenges, reiterating his commitment to supporting initiatives that prioritize the well-being and security of African communities.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, also addressed attendees, highlighting the need to strengthen Africa’s health and economic systems to avoid destabilization during outbreaks. Represented by the Director Medical Service at the CBN, Dr. (Mrs.) Adenike Ojumu, Cardoso advocated for local production of essential medical supplies and infrastructure development. He emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in creating a self-sufficient health sector in Africa.

Cardoso highlighted the role of financial resources in health security, especially during crises. He shared that the CBN had provided targeted healthcare research and development grants, as well as sector intervention facilities, during COVID-19 to expand infrastructure and produce critical medical supplies. Although these interventions are winding down, he encouraged stakeholders to explore sustainable financing solutions for health systems.

Cardoso further underscored the importance of economic resilience through diversification, noting that a diversified economy is less vulnerable to external shocks. He encouraged African central banks to promote diversification, particularly in technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, and to foster digital financial inclusion, as these measures strengthen economic stability amid health emergencies.

Cardoso called for strengthened regional collaboration and inclusive policies to mitigate the impact of pandemics on vulnerable populations. He urged central banks and organizations like the African Union to coordinate resources and support regional health security efforts, reaffirming the CBN’s commitment to policies that reduce inequalities and promote economic resilience.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi, addressed the dual nature of biosecurity threats, emphasizing both gradual environmental degradation and sudden pandemics. “We face the risk of zoonotic diseases daily,” he cautioned, warning that pathogens like Ebola and COVID-19 demonstrate the global catastrophe potential of health risks.

Abayomi pointed out that Lagos’s biodiversity and animal populations create constant zoonotic risks, explaining that most pandemics are transmitted from animals to humans. “There are countless viruses with pandemic potential. Our responsibility is to be vigilant,” he stated, underscoring Lagos’s surveillance and biosecurity partnerships.

The Commissioner stressed that Nigeria’s alarming deforestation rate amplifies climate change and biosecurity risks. “Environmental degradation is a biosecurity issue as it directly impacts health stability,” he explained, urging actions to protect natural resources.

Abayomi linked climate-induced migration with health threats, noting that megacities like Lagos face increased vulnerability due to rapid urbanization. “While economically powerful, they are also highly susceptible to the spread of diseases,” he noted, describing urbanization as both a challenge and opportunity for biosecurity.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, emphasized the state’s commitment to strengthening biosecurity against future pandemics. She highlighted Lagos’s strategy of enhancing surveillance, community engagement, and building a resilient healthcare system to withstand threats. “COVID-19 taught us invaluable lessons about unity, technology, and adaptable infrastructure,” she remarked.

Ogunyemi underscored the role of community engagement to counter misinformation and fear. “Empowering local leaders and promoting health literacy can prevent social unrest during outbreaks,” she said, noting Lagos’s success with COVID-19 as a model for community-driven responses.

GET Consortium COO, Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye, reflected on the conference’s origin following the Ebola crisis. The outbreak, he noted, underscored the need for capacity-building, leading to the conference’s establishment. “The frequency of outbreaks in Africa has risen, necessitating platforms like this to explore indigenous solutions,” he remarked, expressing pride in Lagos’s continued role as host.

With a decade of progress behind it, the conference emphasizes the need for proactive biosecurity across Africa. As the conference continues, participants are optimistic about developing solutions that not only protect Africa but also strengthen its position in global health security.

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