Dr. Pavel Ursu has been announced the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative for Nigeria following the formal presentation of his credentials to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday October 14.
WHO, in a statement on its website on Tuesday, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar announced the appointment with optimism that it will boost Nigeria’s collaboration with the global health body.
“We welcome Dr. Ursu to Nigeria and look forward to deepening our collaboration with WHO under his leadership,” WHO quoted Tuggar as saying.
His appointment comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to strengthen primary health care; Combat infectious and noncommunicable diseases; improve maternal and child health outcomes; and Enhance health emergency preparedness and health system resilience
Ursu, in his speech, conveyed greetings from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Yakub Janabi.
He reaffirmed WHO’s respect for Nigeria’s leadership in global health.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s achievements, including the earlier efforts in certification of wild poliovirus eradication and the recent integrated immunization campaign targeting over 106 million children.
He further emphasized that WHO’s largest country office in Africa is in Nigeria—a reflection of the country’s strategic importance and shared ambition.
Ursu outlined six key pillars for deepened cooperation between WHO and the Government of Nigeria to include: Domestic Health Financing and Sustainability – Expanding fiscal space for health and promoting efficient, results-based spending.
Others include Primary Health Care and Universal Health Coverage – Accelerating access to quality, affordable services across all states and LGAs; Emergency Preparedness and Health Security – enhancing resilience to epidemics, climate shocks, and humanitarian crises; Data and Digital Transformation – Strengthening evidence-based decision-making through robust information systems and digital tools.
Local Manufacturing and Innovation – Supporting Nigeria’s role as a regional hub for vaccine and medical technology production; and Health Diplomacy and Multisectoral Engagement – Elevating Nigeria’s voice in global health platforms, including the Pandemic Accord and health-climate-development intersections.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in its people, innovation, and resolve to reform,” Dr. Ursu stated, noting that WHO will focus on ensuring their cooperation translates into measurable improvements in people’s lives.
The WHO also noted Tuggar reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for Nigeria, particularly in the area of vaccine operations.
He also noted that the country is determined not to relive the vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic and as such, committed to strengthening local manufacturing of health products.
“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,” Tuggar said.
He further highlighted that this strategic focus aligns with both pillars of the Ministry’s mandate which is national development and international diplomacy.
He also underscored the importance of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s health agenda.
The Minister also reflected on Nigeria’s longstanding engagement in health diplomacy, noting that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving global landscape, we are witnessing “the return of new realism”—a moment that demands pragmatic, equity-driven partnerships and resilient health systems.
Ursu has exercised over two decades of service with WHO, spanning national and international assignments. He holds dual citizenship of Romania/EU and Moldova.
Since May 2020, he has served as Director of the Department of Delivery for Impact at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, leading strategic initiatives to strengthen health systems and drive sustainable development.
His previous WHO country-level leadership includes; WHO Representative in Tajikistan (2010–2015), WHO Representative in Turkiye (2015–2020), where he received the WHO Director-General’s Award for his leadership during the Syrian refugee crisis.
He has also been the acting WHO Representative in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Head of the WHO Country Office in Moldova.
Ursu is a physician who holds a Master of Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a master’s degree in health services management, and a Diploma in High Impact Leadership from the University of Cambridge.
WHO said it is committed to supporting Nigeria in achieving Universal Health Coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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