19 - 20 February 2025

The UKHSA International Health Regulations Strengthening Project supported the design and delivery of a Leadership Symposium for Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Senior Leadership in February 2025. The Symposium was a transformative two-day event for NCDC’s management team following the appointment of the new Director General (pictured below right).

The Symposium focused on:

  • fostering synergy, alignment, and effective communication among senior leadership
  • improving collaboration and communication across and within departments
  • having a shared strategic direction that aligns with the NCDC’s vision and goals
  • developing a positive office climate and culture that supports workforce productivity and morale.

The Symposium employed a mix of interactive sessions, keynote presentations, panel discussions, and group activities facilitated by IHR-SP Senior Leadership and UK and in-country Technical Advisers.

UKHSA IHR-SP’s support to NCDC’s leadership development was shared through the self-evaluation of previously delivered leadership training in 2021, helping participants to understand the journey so far. Through the sessions, the Symposium enabled ‘courageous conversations’, robust engagement and individual intentional reflection on their own leadership skills, set within the context of developing a cohesive leadership team capable of enhancing NCDC’s overall effectiveness in achieving its legal mandate.

The Symposium concluded with participants developing a clear agreed roadmap with interventions identified to address identified gaps and bottlenecks for sustaining the momentum generated.

Positive feedback on the success of the Symposium was shared by participants:

‘It was an eye opener for me and having the opportunity to interact with the new leadership of NCDC.’

‘This was very useful more is needed.’

‘This type of gathering is good and should be sustained.’

‘The symposium should be more frequent.’

‘This is highly appreciated.’

‘This exercise should be repeated at intervals.’

This feedback attests to a pivotal moment in NCDC’s journey toward cohesive and effective leadership. By fostering synergy, alignment, and actionable strategies, the NCDC has set the stage for a stronger, more unified and effective National Public Health Institute.