Niamey, November 12, 2025 – Dr Jean Baptiste Nikiema has officially assumed his duties as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Resident Representative in Niger. The formal handover of credentials took place at the office of Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré. The ceremony was attended by WHO staff in Niger and key members of the Minister’s cabinet, highlighting the strong and long-standing partnership between the WHO and Niger’s government.

Following the credential presentation and customary welcome, Minister Sangaré granted an audience to Dr. Nikiema. During their discussion, they addressed critical health priorities affecting Niger, Africa, and the global health landscape. The Minister emphasized the WHO’s vital role as a technical advisor and secretariat for member states, stressing the need for effective collaboration to strengthen Niger’s health system and improve population health outcomes.

Key areas of cooperation were identified, including expanding access to primary healthcare, reinforcing health systems, improving maternal and child health, promoting health through disease prevention and emergency response, and addressing health determinants. Dr. Nikiema commended Niger’s leadership in advancing public health, particularly its remarkable progress in child vaccination, reducing maternal and perinatal mortality, eliminating onchocerciasis, and responding to epidemics. The discussion also covered WHO’s financial challenges and the Government of Niger’s support in mobilizing domestic resources, digitalizing health services, and expanding telemedicine initiatives. Dr. Nikiema reaffirmed his commitment to working within Niger’s national sovereignty and strategic priorities to enhance health and well-being across the country.

Expertise and leadership background of Dr. Nikiema

Dr. Nikiema, a distinguished public health leader from Burkina Faso with over three decades of experience, brings deep expertise in health diplomacy, policy development, and emergency management. His career spans critical roles in national and international health sectors, including serving as the Director-General of Pharmacy, Medicines, and Laboratories in Burkina Faso, a university department head, and Chair of the Board for the Centre Muraz. He has also held positions as WHO Regional Advisor for Medicines in Africa and Deputy WHO Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he played a pivotal role in managing crises related to epidemics, population displacement, and natural disasters.

His contributions to public health include pioneering work on the African Medicines Agency, promoting local pharmaceutical production, strengthening regulatory systems, and coordinating pooled procurement for small island states in Africa, resulting in significant cost savings. Additionally, Dr. Nikiema has mentored over fifty PhD students in pharmacy and medicine and ten master’s students in public health, while publishing more than fifty scientific papers in international journals. His research focuses on health policy, pharmacology, and health system resilience.

Vision for health advancement in Niger

Fluent in both French and English, Dr. Nikiema is recognized for his strategic leadership, risk management capabilities, and resource mobilization skills. His primary focus in Niger will be to support the country’s health sovereignty, prioritize essential interventions, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen partnerships to secure additional funding. His approach aligns closely with Niger’s national health priorities, aiming to drive sustainable improvements in health outcomes and resilience.