Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment, with its future health and development resting on the shoulders of both leaders and citizens alike. At a High-Level Media Advocacy Dialogue held in Abuja, the nation’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, issued an urgent call for a united front: Nigeria, he asserted, must place health and education at the top of the national agenda, or risk falling behind in long-term progress and human capital development. His central message was clear—collective accountability and steadfast political will are key to breaking the longstanding cycle of underperformance in Nigeria’s critical health and education sectors.
The event, a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), and the Engender Health Consortium, drew attention to the consequences of fragmented priorities and the need to galvanize all levels of government and society towards a shared vision.
Professor Pate emphasized that Nigeria’s struggle with poor health outcomes is not due to a lack of technical know-how. “It’s not about skill; it’s about where we put our collective energy,” he said. According to him, the persistent gaps are a result of weak prioritization and insufficient momentum among political leaders to drive change. He cautioned, “For too long, we’ve self-criticised without building a national consensus to fix it.”
Professor Pate further explained that fundamental issues like healthcare are intrinsically bound to political choices, not just technical solutions. “Health is not just a technical issue; it’s a political choice. The way we allocate resources reflects our collective priorities.”
Recent government undertakings—such as the removal of fuel subsidies, shifts in tax policy, and improvements in fiscal management—have reportedly facilitated an expansion of Nigeria’s revenue base. According to officials, these reforms have the potential to offer a more sustainable pathway for financing the health sector and other social services, an essential step for a country with Africa’s largest population and mounting public health needs.
Reforms and Results: Building a Healthier Nigeria
Rebuilding Nigeria’s health system will demand not only strong political resolve but also efficient governance and active citizen participation, Professor Pate stressed. In the last two years, the federal government has reportedly recruited over 20,000 new health professionals—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists—demonstrating a renewed effort to strengthen primary and tertiary healthcare across the nation.
He highlighted progress in maternal health, stating that in some local government areas, maternal deaths have declined by 12 percent thanks to improved access to primary healthcare, better emergency services, and reduced costs for families. “If a facility is clean, staffed, and equipped, and communities trust it, women will use it and lives will be saved,” Pate asserted, encapsulating the core goal of health system reform.
He expressed appreciation for states like Kaduna, which have expanded their primary health infrastructure and boosted the health workforce. Efforts are also increasing to broaden national health insurance and equity programmes, targeting Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable populations—a critical step in reducing out-of-pocket expenses that push many families into poverty.
On the issue of health security, Pate pointed out that stronger disease surveillance and routine vaccination campaigns have helped Nigeria prevent major outbreaks of meningitis and cholera in the past year. The recent introduction of the pentavalent meningococcal vaccine—described as the first of its kind in Africa—was celebrated as a milestone in advancing epidemic preparedness. However, as Pate noted, “Our successes often go unnoticed because prevention doesn’t make headlines.”
Primary Healthcare: The Bedrock of Progress
Addressing the gathering, Moji Makanjuola, Executive Director of the ISMPH, echoed the Minister’s call for reforms, demanding renewed political commitment, better funding, and ongoing accountability to revitalize Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) system. Makanjuola highlighted the urgent need for interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality, advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and break the link between poverty and ill health.
“Nigeria has made commendable strides in health reforms, but we must confront harsh realities with courage and compassion,” Makanjuola asserted. She underscored the unique importance of primary healthcare as “the first and most critical point of contact for millions, especially in rural and underserved areas.” Yet, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), only an estimated 20 percent of Nigeria’s more than 30,000 PHCs are fully functional, leaving large swathes of the population without adequate access to essential services.
She added, “When PHCs work, maternal and child mortality declines, immunisation coverage improves, productivity rises, and the cycle of poverty linked to ill health is broken.” Makanjuola referenced the latest Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2023), noting that maternal mortality hovers at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births—with an under-five mortality rate of 102 per 1,000. These alarming statistics translate to an estimated 82,000 Nigerian women dying each year from pregnancy-related causes, and one in every 10 children dying before age five. “These statistics are not meant to indict but to inspire, to spotlight the urgency for deeper reforms, more coordinated investments, and sustained accountability,” she emphasized, reinforcing the need for an immediate and coordinated response.
Investments and Accountability: The Way Forward
At the same event, Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director for the Gates Foundation, described the timing as critical, remarking that Nigeria’s strategy for primary healthcare will shape its economic and human capital future. “When a mother walks into a PHC clinic in Kano or a father brings a child for vaccination in Kaduna, they are not only seeking treatment—they are placing their trust in a system that represents the state’s promise to protect life,” he explained. However, he noted that this trust is frequently undermined by chronic underfunding, inadequate staffing, and governance challenges.
Amaonwu acknowledged recent improvements in budget allocations to primary health by both federal and state governments but maintained that there is room for greater ambition. He called on governments to meet the 15 percent health funding commitment set by the Abuja Declaration—a goal that has long eluded Nigeria and many African countries. “Let today mark a turning point where words become commitments, commitments become actions, and actions save lives,” he urged.
On the state level, efforts like those in Lagos have drawn praise. According to Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, the state channels about 12 percent of its budget toward health and is steadily working toward the Abuja target of 15 percent. Ongoing revitalization of hospitals and PHCs across Lagos is intended to ensure better service delivery, improved health outcomes, and increased public confidence in the health system.
Nigeria’s Example and Regional Impact
The dialogue in Abuja resonated not only with Nigerians but also with observers in neighbouring West African countries such as Ghana, where similar challenges persist in healthcare delivery. According to analysts, Nigeria’s ongoing reforms could serve as a template—or at least a learning point—for other African countries confronting high rates of preventable illness and limited access to quality health services. Improved health outcomes in Nigeria would not only mean greater productivity and a stronger economy at home; they could contribute to regional stability and collaboration in tackling cross-border health threats like epidemics and pandemics.
International partners, civil society actors, and local community leaders all have a part to play in this reform journey. Genuine progress will require a blend of increased investment, targeted oversight, robust data systems, and sustained engagement from all corners of society.
Challenges Remain, But Hope on the Horizon
Despite the positive developments, obstacles remain. Many stakeholders point to delays in the release of allocations, maintenance issues, and episodes of corruption or mismanagement that have stifled the impact of health spending in some states. There is also the challenge of ensuring that improvements reach rural and marginalized communities that have traditionally been underserved by public systems.
Yet, experts like Lagos-based health analyst Chika Okeke believe the tide may be turning: “If reforms translate into real-world improvements—clean, staffed, and trusted facilities—then people will respond. It’s about creating a system worthy of the public’s trust.”
As the country seeks to fulfill the promise of Universal Health Coverage and secure the future well-being of its citizens, Nigerians from all walks of life are encouraged to engage with and hold accountable their public officials, while also supporting positive changes in their communities.
How do you think Nigeria can further strengthen its healthcare system, and what lessons can other West African countries draw from these efforts? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow us for the latest updates on healthcare reforms and development across Africa!
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