Niamey, 12 November 2025 – Dr. Jean Baptiste Nikiema has officially begun his duties as the Resident Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Niger. He presented his credentials to His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad. The ceremony was attended by WHO staff in Niger and officials from the Minister’s office, underscoring the strong partnership between WHO and Niger.

Following the credential presentation and customary welcome, Minister Sangaré granted Dr. Nikiema an audience where key health priorities were discussed. The Minister highlighted WHO’s essential role as a technical advisor and secretariat for member states, emphasizing the need for effective collaboration to strengthen Niger’s health system and improve population health outcomes.

key health collaboration priorities discussed

• Expanding access to primary healthcare services
• Strengthening the national health system infrastructure
• Improving maternal and child health outcomes
• Promoting public health initiatives, including disease prevention
• Enhancing emergency health response capabilities

Dr. Nikiema praised Niger’s leadership in advancing public health, particularly progress in child immunization, maternal and perinatal mortality reduction, onchocerciasis elimination, and epidemic response. He also acknowledged the Government of Niger’s support in addressing WHO’s financial constraints, as well as efforts to mobilize local resources, digitize health services, and develop telemedicine capabilities.

The new WHO representative reaffirmed his commitment to working in alignment with Niger’s national health priorities and sovereignty, aiming to enhance health outcomes and well-being across the country.

expertise and leadership background

Dr. Nikiema brings over three decades of experience in public health and health diplomacy, primarily from Burkina Faso. His expertise spans therapeutic innovation (including preclinical and clinical research in molecular biology, phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, and medicinal plants), health policy development, universal health coverage, health system resilience, and emergency response.

His career includes leadership roles such as:

• Director-General of Pharmacy, Medicines, and Laboratories in Burkina Faso
• University department head
• Chair of the Board of the Muraz Centre
• WHO Regional Advisor for Africa on medicines and health products
• Deputy WHO Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he managed health crises related to epidemics, mass displacement, and natural disasters

Among his notable achievements are contributions to the African Medicines Agency, promotion of local pharmaceutical production, strengthening of regulatory systems, and coordination of pooled procurement for small African island states—resulting in significant cost savings.

Dr. Nikiema has also mentored over fifty PhD candidates in pharmacy and medicine, as well as ten public health master’s students. He is the author or co-author of more than fifty scientific publications in international journals, advancing knowledge in health policy, pharmacology, and health system resilience.

Fluent in French and English, Dr. Nikiema is recognized for his strategic leadership, risk management skills, and resource mobilization abilities. His priorities in Niger include supporting national health sovereignty, prioritizing essential interventions, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening partnerships to secure additional funding—all in line with national health goals.