The Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), along with various academics and stakeholders, are collaborating to introduce emergency response education into the school curriculum in Nigeria. This initiative aims to create an Emergency Health Education curriculum tailored for primary and secondary school students, focusing on enhancing young people's readiness for accidents, disasters, and other critical situations that threaten lives.

During the recent Curriculum Integration Conference organized by HEI and NERDC, the stakeholders emphasized the importance of equipping students with practical skills that are vital during emergencies. Key skills being promoted include first aid, basic life support, and general safety awareness. This educational approach is predicated on the belief that early and routine exposure to emergency training will significantly enhance survival rates and outcomes in crisis situations, both in schools and in the communities surrounding them.

Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, discussed the necessity of integrating such training into Nigeria's education system. By embedding emergency response education into the curriculum, they hope to foster a culture of preparedness among students, ultimately leading to better community resilience in the face of emergencies. As the initiative progresses, it will likely have profound implications for how young people respond to emergencies in their future, potentially saving lives and reducing injury in crisis scenarios.