NCDC DG Opposes New National Public Health Institute Bill

Dr. Jide Idri, the Director-General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), opposed a proposed bill to establish a new national public health institute focused on infectious diseases in Zaria by 2025.

He warned that creating a federal public health institute would duplicate existing responsibilities and weaken disease outbreak coordination, adding pressure to public finances. During a public hearing with the House of Representatives Committee, Idri stated that the NCDC already has a legal mandate established by the NCDC Act of 2018, which includes disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and emergency preparedness.

He noted that several provisions in the proposed bill closely mirror the NCDC Act and could lead to confusion regarding leadership during health emergencies. Idri expressed concerns about the financial implications of establishing a new institute, which would require significant recurring expenditures, and urged lawmakers to focus on strengthening existing public health structures instead.