Japan Partners with UNOPS to Strengthen Lagos’ Cholera Response and Save Lives

11 July 2025 – In a crucial step to curb the growing cholera outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Government of Japan have launched an emergency project to support response and preparedness efforts. With funding of US$1 million from Japan’s Supplementary Budget, the twelve-month initiative began on 1 March 2025 and will continue until 28 February 2026.

The project, formally titled Emergency Support for Cholera Response and Preparedness in Lagos, Nigeria, seeks to bolster Nigeria’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to cholera outbreaks. At its heart is the procurement of essential medical supplies for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). By equipping the NCDC with vital resources, the initiative aims to reduce illness and prevent deaths in Lagos, the epicentre of the current crisis.

Cholera cases in Nigeria have surged dramatically, worsened by the rainy season which has increased contamination of water sources. Further pressures, including severe flooding and internal displacement in early 2024, have stretched health systems to their limits. Lagos State alone now accounts for over 20 per cent of cholera cases nationally, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

The project will directly support the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) hardest hit by cholera this year: Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Lagos main island, Alimosho, and Kosofe. An estimated two million residents across these LGAs stand to benefit. Key activities include supplying medical equipment, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) items, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitation materials, and diagnostic tools. According to UNOPS, the exact types and quantities of these supplies will be decided after a detailed needs assessment during the project’s second and third months.

Japan’s support reflects its broader commitment to global health and aligns with its Country Development Cooperation Policy for Nigeria, which aims to strengthen inclusive and resilient health systems. The Embassy of Japan, together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and various UN agencies, has long been involved in projects across Nigeria. These include initiatives to improve healthcare and education, boost the country’s rice production, and invest in Nigeria’s startup and innovation sectors through new hubs and venture funds.

“The Government of Japan’s swift and substantial contribution will allow for the rapid procurement and delivery of critical supplies, ultimately saving lives and helping to contain the outbreak,” UNOPS said in a statement.

UNOPS specialises in practical solutions for peace, security, humanitarian, and development challenges, working with a range of partners including the European Union and its Member States to deliver sustainable infrastructure and manage projects worldwide. More information about UNOPS can be found at www.unops.org.

The Government of Japan continues to emphasise human security and economic diversification in its partnership with Nigeria, with efforts focused on improving health systems and diagnostic capacities for disease control, including cholera.

As Lagos confronts this severe health crisis, the collaboration between UNOPS and the Government of Japan offers hope for swift action, better preparedness, and lives saved.

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