The challenge
Fragmented surveillance systems and limited digital tools hindered Nigeria’s timely outbreak detection and response—especially in remote and underserved communities—costing lives and livelihoods.
The solution
Resolve to Save Lives and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) are integrating the 7-1-7 target into SITAware, Nigeria’s national emergency management system, and training frontline workers across multiple states to use real-time reporting tools.
The impact
Faster detection, improved coordination and earlier responses have saved lives in two recent state-level outbreaks and positioned Nigeria as a regional leader in digital preparedness.
The challenge
How can states in Nigeria effectively detect and respond to outbreaks with fragmented surveillance systems and limited digital tools?
For many years, Nigeria’s state-level responses to public health threats faced significant bottlenecks. Fragmented software systems were incapable of effectively logging, tracking and managing disease signals. There was no reliable digital interface that would allow surveillance teams to report events or monitor activities in real time. These limitations were compounded by staff turnover, high data costs and insufficient training.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—a national hub—coordination gaps between national and local teams slowed detection and delayed action, particularly in remote and underserved communities like Abaji and Lugbe. In 2023, a diphtheria outbreak in Lugbe caused eight deaths and underscored the vulnerability of populations when early warning signals go unheeded. There was an urgent need for integrated tools, trained personnel and structured workflows.
The solution
Upgrading emergency management systems
In May 2024, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in partnership with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), led an initiative to strengthen state-level epidemic preparedness and response capacity. Central to this effort was the integration of the 7-1-7 target, a global timeliness target for disease detection and response, with SITAware, Nigeria’s national emergency management system.
The “SITAware Transition Project” focused on improving usability, embedding 7-1-7 indicators into the system and ensuring every participating state had trained focal points responsible for logging and escalating events. In the FCT, the team embedded dedicated support staff, established cloud hosting services and rolled out structured trainings for surveillance officers, rapid response teams and key informants.
The transition project built on earlier work from 2022–2023, during which NCDC—with RTSL’s support—stabilized and expanded SITAware through cloud hosting, targeted enhancements, and embedded technical personnel. A SITAware Implementation Officer and software engineer were recruited to lead improvements, deliver ongoing training and resolve user issues. Enhancements such as mobile compatibility, redesigned interfaces, structured 7-1-7 and risk assessment fields, real-time ticketing and alert systems and integrated analytics strengthened the platform’s functionality and usability. Standard operating procedures and user guides were developed to promote consistency, and continuous technical assistance ensured frontline teams could document events, interpret data, and respond effectively; both contributed to a more coordinated and timely national response system. Together, these improvements have translated into measurable results for outbreak detection, response and coordination across multiple states.
The impact
Faster outbreak response
In Cross River State, SITAware has helped overcome longstanding barriers to early detection and action. “Cross River State has a large land mass, and many areas are hard to reach,” said Anastecia Ntajai, Assistant SITAware Focal Person. “We used to have high mortality from Lassa fever because patients would only present when it was too late. But two months ago, there was a Lassa fever case, and this time, we detected it early, launched an immediate response and saved the patient. The platform alerted us before lab confirmation, and our team had already mobilized by the time results came out.”
The approach is also supporting officials in FCT. In Abaji, a recent measles outbreak was detected within three days, reported within one and responded to within seven days—meeting the 7-1-7 target despite persistent challenges of population mobility and vaccine hesitancy. In Lugbe, a suspected diphtheria case was detected within 24 hours thanks to a trained community informant; unlike previous outbreaks, this one resulted in no reported deaths.
Hitting the 7-1-7 target
Nigeria’s 7-1-7 implementation is already yielding impressive results. In 2023 and 2024, 76% of reported public health events recorded at the state level—including FCT—met the detection target; 93% met the notification target; and 76% met the response target. These results are higher than those reported in many other countries and suggest that the 7-1-7 target is achievable in practice—and that well-supported sub-national teams can act with speed and precision.
Regional leadership
As SITAware expands and 7-1-7 benchmarks become embedded in practice, Nigeria is building a network of empowered, well-equipped states—each capable of preventing small outbreaks from becoming large-scale epidemics. The project has also sparked cross-country learning: Regional partners have praised Nigeria’s epidemic intelligence approach, and SITAware inspired the design of Zambia’s new emergency management system, ZEBRA. Gloria Nunez, an RTSL Senior Technical Advisor who supports ZEBRA noted, “SITAware’s simplicity as an information management and coordination solution for Nigeria’s emergencies and incidents is unprecedented. As it evolves and supports 7-1-7, it has set a standard for other EMS systems.” SITAware’s design and application have also been recognized in global public health circles, including a recent peer-reviewed publication that showcases it as a model for digital emergency management.
RTSL is supporting Nigeria’s public health efforts at the state level through initiatives like SITAware—alongside other projects like supporting state health security assessments—and building the capacity of state teams to address gaps to save lives. Nigeria’s vision is clear: strong, decentralized action supported by national coordination and smart digital tools. The success of SITAware in FCT and Cross River State shows this vision is within reach.