The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing primary health care (PHC), eradicating polio, and addressing health system challenges through various initiatives.
According to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, these initiatives include training over 60,000 health workers and implementing a N1 trillion ($1.2 billion) performance-based financing program for states.
Speaking at the 2025 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Primary Health Care Delivery in Abuja on Tuesday, Pate praised traditional leaders for their 16 years of voluntary dedication to improving health outcomes.
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“Perhaps this initiative should be submitted for recognition in the Guinness Book of Records—to determine if any other purely voluntary leadership effort, meeting quarterly with such commitment, has lasted this long,” he remarked.
The minister outlined ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, including deficiencies in selecting and training vaccination teams, accountability issues, and weak frontline engagement.
During recent visits to four states with the Chair of the Polio Oversight Board (POB) and NTLC leaders, these challenges were identified, particularly concerns over compliance with finger-marking and the need for stronger supervision.
“We have overcome similar hurdles before. In 2009, despite limited resources, Nigeria vaccinated more children than in previous years. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again,” Pate assured.
He emphasized the government’s intensified efforts to revamp PHCs, focusing on training and retraining 60,000 health workers, expanding maternal and newborn health services under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and providing free emergency treatment for obstetric complications.
Additionally, Pate announced the launch of the National Health Fellowship Programme, aimed at developing young health leaders across the country.
“The program attracted over 360,000 applications, with fellows selected purely on merit. They will be deployed nationwide to enhance accountability and service delivery,” he stated.
To further strengthen PHCs, the federal government has approved N1 trillion ($1.2 billion) in performance-based financing for states to recruit additional health workers and improve services.
Pate also raised concerns about the spread of misinformation on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, urging traditional and religious leaders to counter conspiracy theories and promote accurate health information.
He called on all stakeholders to remain committed, noting that Nigeria’s grassroots-led health interventions are gaining international recognition.
“Together, we have made progress, tackled challenges, and will continue to build a stronger, healthier Nigeria,” he concluded.
