Nigeria’s health sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation driven by historic collaboration between the Federal Government, state governors and development partners, according to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate.
Speaking at the Health Development Partner Retreat on Wednesday in Abuja, Pate highlighted that the sector is shifting towards a more unified and sustainable system through the Health Sector Compact, signed in December 2023.
For the first time in Nigeria’s history, an agreement has been reached that brings together all 36 state governors, the Federal Government and 17 development partners under a common goal: ensuring that healthcare policies and funding mechanisms are no longer fragmented.
Pate stated that this Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) is already shaping key policy decisions, improving resource allocation and enhancing healthcare delivery across the country.
“The Health Compact provides a structured framework that aligns federal, state, and local government efforts with international donor support and private sector investment. This ensures that healthcare funding is no longer disjointed, leading to better coordination and improved health outcomes,” he said.
He noted that nearly all 36 states have formally expressed interest in participating, which marks a significant departure from previous health policies that lacked full state-level engagement. The growing number of state-level SWAp desk officers reflects this commitment, ensuring effective implementation on the ground.
Pate revealed that the first-ever joint annual health sector review has been conducted to track progress and ensure alignment across all levels of government.
A key focus of the Health Compact is strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) services, the foundation of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Under this initiative:60,000 frontline health workers have been retrained, improving healthcare service delivery; Increased funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has enhanced the functionality of many PHC facilities and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) now covers emergency maternal complications, ensuring that thousands of women receive life-saving care, including free fistula repairs.
“These interventions are addressing long-standing maternal and child health challenges, which remain a critical concern in Nigeria,” Pate said.
To sustain these reforms, the government is prioritising domestic financing, blended funding models, and private-sector partnerships to reduce reliance on external aid.
– Local production of essential medicines such as Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid to reduce dependence on pharmaceutical imports.
– 77 investment cases developed to attract private-sector participation, with seven already at the term sheet stage.
– Strengthened regulatory oversight by NAFDAC to ensure that locally produced medicines meet global quality standards.
“By fostering domestic production and aligning international funding sources, we aim to improve healthcare delivery without overburdening the national budget,” Pate emphasised.
Nigeria’s health sector reforms also focus on health security and emergency preparedness to combat disease outbreaks and improve response times.
Pate highlighted that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has significantly ramped up operations to address outbreaks of cholera, meningitis, yellow fever and monkeypox.
The government’s proactive approach was particularly evident in Borno State, where rapid intervention prevented a major cholera outbreak following severe flooding.
Another major challenge addressed was a $200 million funding shortfall in Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response, which threatened to disrupt treatment for 1.5 million Nigerians.
“Instead of allowing the crisis to escalate, the government quickly secured emergency funding, ensuring continuity of care for patients,” Pate said.
Despite the progress made, Pate acknowledged that implementing such ambitious reforms has been a complex process, likening it to “building a ship while sailing it.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening domestic financing mechanisms, expanding digital health transformation, and conducting impact assessments to sustain reforms.
Key priorities moving forward include: Strengthening domestic financing mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability; Expanding digital health transformation, including AI-driven health analytics for data-driven decision-making and conducting a mini-demographic and health survey (Mini-DHS) in 2026 to track progress and inform policy adjustments.
Pate concluded with a strong message of commitment: “The plane is airborne, the ship is moving, and Nigeria’s health sector is transforming. Let us stay the course.”
With strong political will, continued collaboration, and sustainable health financing, Pate expressed confidence that Nigeria is on the path to a more resilient and effective healthcare system that truly serves its people.
Science Nigeria reports that the Health Sector Compact represents a new era of accountability, innovation, and results-driven governance in Nigeria’s health sector.
If successfully implemented, these reforms could serve as a model for other African nations seeking to revamp their healthcare systems.
