WHO Appoints Dr. Pavel Ursu as New Representative to Nigeria

Dr. Pavel Ursu has been appointed as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Nigeria following the formal presentation of his credentials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, October 14.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed optimism that Dr. Ursu’s appointment would strengthen Nigeria’s partnership with WHO and boost ongoing efforts to improve the nation’s health sector.

“We welcome Dr. Ursu to Nigeria and look forward to deepening collaboration with WHO under his leadership,” Tuggar said during the ceremony.

Dr. Ursu, who conveyed greetings from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, praised Nigeria’s achievements in public health, including the eradication of wild poliovirus and the recent immunisation campaign that reached over 106 million children.

Highlighting Nigeria’s strategic importance, Dr. Ursu outlined six pillars for deepened cooperation between WHO and the Nigerian government:

1. Domestic Health Financing and Sustainability – Expanding fiscal space for health and promoting efficient, results-based spending.

2. Primary Health Care and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) – Accelerating access to quality, affordable services nationwide.

3. Emergency Preparedness and Health Security – Enhancing resilience to epidemics, climate shocks, and humanitarian crises.

4. Data and Digital Transformation – Strengthening evidence-based decision-making through robust information systems and digital tools.

5. Local Manufacturing and Innovation – Supporting Nigeria as a regional hub for vaccine and medical technology production.

6. Health Diplomacy and Multisectoral Engagement – Elevating Nigeria’s role in global health initiatives.

 

Dr. Ursu, a physician with over two decades of service in WHO, previously served as WHO Representative in Tajikistan (2010–2015) and Turkiye (2015–2020), where he received recognition for his leadership during the Syrian refugee crisis. He has also held roles in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova and currently holds dual citizenship with Romania/EU and Moldova.

Since May 2020, he has served as Director of the Department of Delivery for Impact at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, driving initiatives to strengthen health systems and sustainable development. He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a Diploma in High Impact Leadership from the University of Cambridge.

Minister Tuggar highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need for Nigeria to strengthen local health manufacturing and ensure a resilient healthcare system. “Health is not just a sector; it is a foundation for prosperity. A healthy population is empowered to seek opportunities and rise out of poverty,” he said.

The WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving Universal Health Coverage and meeting health-related Sustainable Development Goals.