The Health Emergency Initiative, HEI, in partnership with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, has officially launched the Emergency Health Education Curriculum Conference, aimed at integrating emergency health education into Nigeria’s primary and secondary school curricula.
The conference, which commenced on February 9, 2026, brought together key stakeholders from the health, education, policy, and emergency response sectors to strengthen national preparedness and equip young Nigerians with life-saving skills.
In his opening remarks, NERDC Executive Secretary, Professor Salisu Shehu stressed the urgent need to institutionalize emergency health education as a proactive strategy for building resilient communities, noting that embedding such knowledge early in schools fosters a culture of preparedness.
HEI Board Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Imafidon described the collaboration with NERDC as a landmark achievement, emphasizing the initiative’s goal of ensuring every Nigerian child acquires essential life-saving competencies.
Also speaking, Head of NERDC’s Curriculum Development Centre, Dr. Chima Jonas Egbujuo, highlighted that emergency health education will be infused into relevant core subjects rather than taught as a standalone topic, ensuring sustainability and practical application in schools.
HEI Executive Director, Paschal Achunine announced that, following approvals, the curriculum will be rolled out nationwide in both public and private schools.
Achunine noted that the initiative will also be complemented by the recently launched Health Emergency Rapid Aid (HERA) programme to enhance rapid response capabilities and reinforce practical learning.
Representatives from Ashoka Africa, LASHMA, Police, FRSC, LASAEC, and LASTMA commended the initiative, describing it as timely and essential for improving emergency response education in Nigeria.
The stakeholders also expressed strong support for the passage of the Good Samaritan Law to protect citizens providing emergency assistance.
The conference featured expert presentations by over 20 scholars, medical consultants, and certified trainers, alongside policy dialogues and curriculum planning sessions.
Practical demonstrations included Basic First Aid for road traffic accidents and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), providing students and educators with hands-on emergency skills.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to accelerate policy adoption, strengthen inter-sector collaboration, and implement the Emergency Health Education curriculum nationwide, reinforcing HEI’s mission to ensure no life is lost due to lack of timely intervention.
