To address the different levels of expertise required at the national, state and local government levels, the NFETP is being implemented as a three-tiered pyramidal model: the Integrated Training for Surveillance Officers in Nigeria (ITSON), the Intermediate NFETP (I-NFETP) and the Advanced NFETP (A-NFETP) The Advanced Nigeria Field Epidemiology Training Programme (NFETP) is a two-year in-service training programme which provides competency-based training and service delivery in applied epidemiology and public health. It is coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv). The programme aims to build workforce capacity in disease surveillance and response, with dedicated mentorship using the One Health approach. The trainees support and contribute to the growth of public health capacity at national and state levels during the training and gain practical experience through field placements.

Yes. The NFETP was accredited by the Global Accreditation Body of Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET) in 2018.

• Residents and graduates of the NFETP are trained with skills required to prevent, prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to disease outbreaks and public health threats.
• They enhance the country’s public health workforce, contributing to national and global health security.

NFETP residents and graduates have responded to a range of outbreaks both within the country and internationally. The outbreaks responded to include communicable diseases such as viral haemorrhagic fevers, meningitis, cholera and COVID-19 as well as environmental hazards such as lead poisoning.

1. To train future leaders in applied epidemiology using a solutions-based approach to public health events.
2. To provide epidemiological capacity as part of Nigeria?s health security
3. To strengthen public health surveillance systems for human, animal, and environmental health.
4. To strengthen the One Health approach to outbreak preparedness and response, including the linkage between public health, veterinary public health, and environmental health.
5. To develop capacity that will contribute effectively to public health research activities for human, animal and environmental health.
6. To improve communications and networking among public health practitioners and researchers in Nigeria and across African countries.
7. To strengthen affiliations with international organisations, such as the Training Programmes in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), AFENET and other applied epidemiology and laboratory training programmes.

• It is a full-time two-year in-service training programme in field epidemiology that provides competency based training and service delivery in applied epidemiology and public health.
• It is 70% field based and 30% classroom based.

Yes. The Advisory Board which is chaired by the Honourable Minister of Health will provide oversight for the programme to ensure it meets its objectives. The Implementation Committee chaired by the Director General of NCDC will provide oversight for day-to-day operations of the programme

The NCDC as the National Public Health Institute (NPHI) in Nigeria has the mandate as contained in the NCDC Act, to lead the coordination of the NFETP with support from partners.

It is expected that an NFETP graduate will acquire the following skills:

• Epidemiological Methods
• Biostatistics
• Public Health Surveillance
• Laboratory and Biostatistics
• Communication
• Computer Technology
• Management and Leadership
• Prevention effectiveness
• Teaching and Mentoring
• Epidemiology of priority diseases and injuries

Graduates will be given a final certificate signed by the NCDC DG.

• Training is largely practical and field-based.
• It is divided into 70% field work and 30% class work (didactic component), with the latter conducted in Abuja.

The number of candidates is limited to some factors including the availability of funding, priority field placements, space for training, size of the recruiting pool and availability of career opportunities.

These include:
• Locally:
- Epidemiologist (e.g., in national disease prevention and control programmes or State Ministry of Health)
- Programme Manager (e.g., in national disease control programmes)
• Internationally:
- Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with public health functions

The programme is currently funded by the Government of Nigeria, with support from the World Bank through the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) project. It is also supported by partners.

The programme is currently fully funded, and residents will be provided with stipends to support them while on the programme.

The programme is full-time, so, a letter of release from your or workplace is required.

To apply for this fellowship, you must have:

• A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or Masters? degree (MSc) in epidemiology, statistics, or in a health-related field such as microbiology, biochemistry, medical laboratory science.
• A minimum of two years? experience working in public health or related fields within a government institution (with evidence of confirmation).
• For medical and veterinary medicine graduates, a membership or fellowship qualification in public health or community medicine from a recognised postgraduate college is acceptable.
• Current employment within an organisation.
• Applicants who neither have a Masters or a Fellowship, but have worked for at least five years in a public health role, can also apply.
• A PhD is an added advantage.

Signed letter of appointment and letter of attestation from your organisation.