The Newborn Screening Consortium-Nigeria (NSC-N), in collaboration with Revvity and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), hosted a groundbreaking two-day national workshop titled “Integrated Newborn Screening in Nigeria – The Way to Go”.
The NSC-N workshop, held November 20–21, 2024, at the prestigious Radisson Blu in Ikeja, Lagos, aimed to move Nigeria closer to compliance with the WHO Universal Newborn Screening (UNS) framework, ensuring that every newborn in the country receives the necessary screening.
Renowned international experts in newborn screening gathered at this event to provide valuable insights and strategies for the implementation of integrated screening systems in Nigeria.
Speaking about the importance of newborn screening, the Team Lead, Professor John I. Anetor, team lead (NSC-N), highlighted the critical role these tests play in detecting potential health issues in newborns that could lead to serious complications if left untreated.  He emphasised the significance of equal access to screenings, especially in a country like Nigeria with evolving implementation processes.
"Newborn screening is a critical public health initiative that identifies conditions in newborns that may result in severe complications or death if left untreated." The test is administered within 72 hours of the baby's birth and again at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Equal access to these life-saving procedures is emphasised by the WHO's Universal Newborn Screening Initiatives, which are still in the process of being implemented in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. 
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the current Minister of Health and Social Welfare, was represented by Princess Lina Aigbe, who, in her speech, said, “Nigeria is capable and able to deliver health care for Nigerians and everyone that lives within the country; the country has more financing and limited quality human resources for health to serve our population across different levels of government.”
The workshop aims to raise awareness about the importance of newborn screening in reducing infant mortality rates and promoting overall child health. It will also focus on sharing effective strategies for implementing screening programs nationwide and building capacity among healthcare professionals to meet WHO standards.
International speakers at the event included Professor Jim Bonham, President of the International Society for Neonatal Screening (ISNS); Marika Kase from Revvity, Dr. Ayesha De-Costa from WHO, Professor Baba Inusa from King’s College London, Jelili Ojodu from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), and Veronica Odesina, a prominent advocate based in New York.
The workshop aimed to drive progress in newborn health in Nigeria by uniting stakeholders to create a comprehensive and integrated screening system that will benefit newborns across the country.

See photos below: