Health misinformation poses a growing threat in Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a health walk marking World Health Day 2026, observed annually on April 7 to commemorate the founding of the organisation in 1948.
This year’s theme is “Together for health. Stand with science”.
Ursu said the observance highlights the importance of science in improving public health and saving lives, noting that many global health gains are rooted in evidence-based interventions.
He warned that misinformation is increasingly undermining progress in areas such as immunisation, maternal and child health, and disease prevention, especially with the rise of social media and other digital platforms.
Ursu urged Nigerians to verify health information from credible sources and strengthen health literacy to support informed decision-making. He also called for improved public health communication using local languages and culturally relevant messaging.
Also speaking, the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kamil Shoretire, cautioned against unverified health claims, saying they can lead to poor health choices and resistance to proven treatments.
He called for stronger research systems, data-driven policymaking, and collaboration between government, media, and civil society to improve the quality of health information.
Both officials stressed that building trust in science and ensuring access to accurate information remain key to improving health outcomes in Nigeria.
