WELCOME TO
Africa Environmental Health Organization
Workshop Topic
Executive Leadership in Environmental Health Policy, Governance, and National Development
Brief Introduction
Environmental health is no longer a technical sector; it is a strategic pillar of national development, public health security, climate resilience, and economic stability. Effective leadership in this field requires a deep understanding of policy formulation, governance systems, institutional coordination, regulatory enforcement, and strategic decision making.
This executive program is designed for senior leaders, policymakers, directors, and professionals who influence environmental health outcomes at the national, state, and local levels. It equips participants with the leadership mindset, policy tools, governance frameworks, and strategic competencies needed to drive environmental health reforms and strengthen national development systems.
Course Objectives
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
Knowledge Objectives
- Understand the strategic role of environmental health in national development.
- Analyse environmental health policies, governance structures, and institutional mandates.
- Explore global and African models of environmental health leadership.
- Understand the intersection of environmental health, climate change, WASH, and public health security.
Skills Objectives
- Lead policy formulation and institutional reforms.
- Strengthen governance, regulatory enforcement, and inter-agency coordination.
- Apply systems thinking to environmental health challenges.
- Manage crises, risks, and emergency environmental health responses.
- Communicate effectively with policymakers, communities, and development partners.
Impact Objectives
- Strengthen national and sub-national environmental health systems.
- Improve institutional accountability and service delivery.
- Support national progress toward SDGs, climate commitments, and public health goals.
Course Modules (Executive)
DAY 1 — Environmental Health Leadership & National Development
- The strategic role of environmental health in national development
- Environmental determinants of health and productivity
- Leadership competencies for environmental health executives
- Systems thinking and decision-making for national impact
DAY 2 — Policy Formulation, Governance & Institutional Strengthening
- Policy development cycle (agenda setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, evaluation)
- Governance frameworks for environmental health
- Regulatory systems, compliance, and enforcement
- Institutional coordination: federal, state, LGA, and community roles
- Strengthening environmental health institutions in Africa
DAY 3 — Environmental Health Law, Standards & Regulatory Enforcement
- Overview of environmental health laws and regulations
- Enforcement mechanisms and compliance strategies
- Environmental health officers as regulators and public health guardians
- Ethics, accountability, and professional conduct
- Case studies: Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana
DAY 4 — Environmental Health, Climate Change & Public Health Security
- Climate change impacts on environmental health
- Environmental health in emergencies and outbreaks
- Risk assessment and environmental surveillance
- Climate adaptation and resilience planning
- Integrating environmental health into national climate policies
DAY 5 — Strategic Leadership, Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Leading teams and institutions for high performance
- Political communication and advocacy
- Engaging communities, policymakers, and development partners
- Negotiation, diplomacy, and conflict management
- Media relations and public communication
DAY 6 — Environmental Health Financing & Resource Mobilization
- Financing environmental health systems
- Budgeting, planning, and resource allocation
- Donor engagement and proposal development
- Public–private partnerships
- Innovative financing for environmental health
DAY 7 — Executive Action Planning & Institutional Reform Lab
- Designing institutional reforms
- Developing strategic action plans
- Leadership simulations and case studies
- Executive presentations and peer review
- Commitment setting and next steps
Target Audience
This program is ideal for:
- Directors and senior officers in environmental health
- Government MDAs (health, environment, climate, water, sanitation, planning)
- Local government leaders
- Environmental health officers and supervisors
- NGO and development sector leaders
- Policy analysts and researchers
- Private sector environmental managers
- Legislators and policymakers
Participants will gain
- Strengthened executive leadership capacity
- Improved decision-making and strategic thinking
- Enhanced ability to influence policy and governance Technical Benefits
- Deep understanding of environmental health systems
- Skills in policy formulation, enforcement, and institutional reform
- Knowledge of climate resilience and public health security Professional Benefits
- Increased credibility and authority in environmental health leadership
- Ability to engage government, donors, and communities
- Certificate of Completion
- Stronger governance and regulatory systems
- Improved service delivery and accountability
- Better alignment with national development priorities
Workshop Cost:
- AFREHO Members: ₦100,000
- Non-Member: ₦250,000
- Venue: Abuja FCT, Nigeria
- Date: August, 2026