The Environmental and Public Health Association of Nigeria (EPHAN), has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable environmental and public health practices across the country.
This was announced during EPHAN’s first Critical Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja, which focused on strengthening collaboration between the two organisations.
President of EPHAN, Dr Akingbehin Samuel, called on all practitioners to unite and support the new administration.
“I therefore call on every Nigerian to see this as a blessing. Let’s join hands and support the common man on the street to put Nigeria on a favourable scale among the comity of nations,” he said.
Dr Akingbehin explained that the association would serve as a platform for all cadres to work together and strengthen the country’s public health sector.
He noted that his administration will create a unified platform for all constituent groups, including environmental health practitioners, epidemiologists, and water, sanitation, and hygiene specialists.
“Where there is interaction, there is cohesion and robust synergy. That is the wisdom behind the Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Association of Nigeria,” he noted.
He emphasised that by working together – public servants, academics, students, and artisans – significant progress could be achieved.
He also pledged the association’s full support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the public health sector, and announced the launch of the association’s official website: www.ephan.org.
Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr Yakubu Baba, said the meeting was a strategic session aimed at improving coordination, promoting best practices, and advancing sustainable solutions in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is centred on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and you cannot achieve SDGs 3, 6, and 9 without embracing the One Health concept,” he said.
Dr Baba stressed that the collaboration would strengthen both practice and service delivery in environmental and public health.
He added that the initiative aligns with the Council’s mandate to regulate environmental health practices, as provided by the amended Act 11 of 2002.
Registrar/ CEO EHCON Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba (left), President EPHAN, Dr. Samuel Akingbehin (Right), addressing the Media during a strategic engagement session held @ EHCON HQ, Phase , Federal Secretariat, Abuja on Friday 22nd August, 2025. pic.twitter.com/OyUjV7inNt
— Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (@ehconhq) August 22, 2025
He also said that EHCON is working with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to develop specialised training programmes for environmental health practitioners.
“The goal is to move away from the traditional ‘jack-of-all-trades’ model and produce graduates with specific, marketable skills. This is aimed at reducing reliance on government jobs and encouraging private sector employment,” he explained.
According to him, the Council had identified sixteen distinct areas of environmental health practice.
“These areas represent key gaps and needs within the country. The training programmes are being tailored to ensure practitioners can effectively fill these roles and provide essential services to Nigerians,” he said.
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He noted that 21 universities currently offer core environmental health courses, supported by over 105 professors and doctors, describing this academic base as a strong foundation for capacity building.
Dr Baba affirmed that the necessary instruments and resources were in place to ensure practitioners are equipped to address both current and emerging environmental and public health challenges in Nigeria.
He also commended the new leadership of EPHAN and pledged EHCON’s continued support.
“We will navigate this profession to the greatest heights. We believe your emergence will bring a new dawn,” he stated.