Dr Jean Baptiste Nikiema officially begins term as WHO Resident Representative in Niger
Niamey, 12 November 2025 – Dr Jean Baptiste Nikiema has formally assumed his duties as the new Resident Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Niger. During an official ceremony, he presented his credentials to Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré. The event was attended by WHO staff in Niger and members of the Minister’s cabinet, highlighting the strong and long-standing partnership between WHO and Niger.
Strategic discussions on health priorities in Niger and beyond
Following the credential presentation and welcome remarks, the Minister held a working meeting with Dr Nikiema. The discussion focused on critical health issues affecting the global, African, and Nigerien contexts. The Minister emphasized 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:
- Primary healthcare access and service delivery
- Health system strengthening and resilience
- Maternal, newborn, and child health
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Pharmaceutical system regulation and access
Dr Nikiema commended Niger’s leadership in advancing public health, particularly its achievements in childhood vaccination, maternal and perinatal health, onchocerciasis elimination, and epidemic response. He also addressed the financial challenges facing WHO’s operations and welcomed Niger’s commitment to supporting health initiatives through resource mobilization, digital health transformation, and telemedicine expansion.
The new Representative reaffirmed his commitment to working in alignment with Niger’s national priorities, respecting the country’s sovereignty while advancing health and well-being for all citizens.
A seasoned public health leader with decades of global experience
Dr Nikiema brings over three decades of leadership in public health and health diplomacy, having held key positions across Africa and globally. His expertise spans:
- Research and development in molecular biology, phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, and medicinal plants
- Health policy development and universal health coverage
- Health system resilience and emergency management
- Pharmaceutical regulation and local production
His career includes serving as Director General of Pharmacy, Medicines and Laboratories in Burkina Faso, Regional Advisor for Medicines at WHO Africa, and Deputy Representative of WHO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he played a pivotal role in managing health crises during epidemics, population displacement, and natural disasters.
Dr Nikiema has contributed to landmark initiatives such as the African Medicines Agency, local drug production promotion, and strengthening regulatory systems. He has also mentored over 50 PhD students in pharmacy and medicine and published more than 50 scientific papers in international journals, advancing knowledge in health policy, pharmacology, and health systems resilience.
Fluent in both French and English, Dr Nikiema is recognized for his strategic leadership, risk management, and resource mobilization skills. His overarching goal in Niger is to support national health sovereignty, scale up essential interventions, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen partnerships to mobilize additional resources in full alignment with the country’s health priorities.