By Tijani Taofeek Bamidele
Introduction
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria’s health sector was grappling with systemic challenges, including weak primary healthcare facilities, poor maternal and child health indicators, an inadequate workforce, and heavy reliance on imported medicines. Confidence in the sector was at an all-time low, with only 30% of Nigerians expressing trust in government healthcare interventions. Against this backdrop, the appointment of Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare marked a turning point. A physician, public health expert, and former World Bank Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population, Pate returned to serve Nigeria with a bold promise: to ‘Save Lives, Produce Health and do it for all Nigerians.’
Two years later, that promise has materialised into what many describe as one of the most ambitious health sector reforms in Nigeria’s history. From revitalizing over 1,000 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) to securing billions in domestic and international financing, Pate’s leadership is redefining healthcare delivery in Africa’s largest economy.
The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate
Strategic Plan
The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) was launched in December 2023 as a blueprint to drive transformation. Anchored on four main strategic pillars: Effective Governance, Improving Population Health Outcomes, Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, and Strengthening Health Security; these align with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At the heart of the reform vision is the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), built on Nigeria’s first-ever Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp). Conceived as “one vision, one budget, one report, one conversation”, this strategic framework unites federal, state, local governments, development partners, and the private sector under a single coordinated health agenda. The initiative hinges on accountability, shared financing, and harmonized planning.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the Chairman, Nigeria’s Governors Forum (Gov Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq) flanked by State Governors, Development Partners and Key Stakeholders during the signing of the Compact, in 2023.
To ensure accountability and measurable progress, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate introduced a performance dashboard system that tracked key health metrics across all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Each initiative was backed by financing from pooled domestic resources, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and international partners such as Gavi, Global Fund, and World Bank.
One of the defining features of this strategic approach was country ownership. Unlike past programs heavily dependent on donor funds, Pate prioritized domestic resource mobilization and private sector partnerships. In his words:
“Health security and universal access are not negotiable for any sovereign state. We must own our solutions while leveraging partnerships.” — Prof Muhammad Ali Pate
*Achievements*
I. Primary Healthcare Revitalization
In just two years, 1,003 PHCs were fully revitalized, while 5,500 are currently under renovation, moving towards a target of 17,000 functional facilities nationwide. These centers now boast solar-powered energy systems, clean water supply, and digital health tools. According to ministry data, 37 million Nigerians accessed PHC services in Q1 2025 alone — a record improvement compared to pre-2023 figures.
II. Maternal & Child Health
Under the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), 172 priority LGAs were targeted, contributing approximately 55% of Nigeria’s total maternal health burden. Between May 2023 and April 2025, 13.1 million antenatal care visits and 4.2 million safe deliveries were recorded. Notably, 4,000 free Caesarean sections were provided in empaneled facilities, reducing maternal mortality rates significantly.
III. Health Workforce Development
Nigeria’s healthcare workforce experienced a major boost. Enrollment in nursing programs rose from 28,000 to 115,000, while 61,700 frontline health workers were trained, with a target of 120,000 retrained by 2027. The National Health Fellows Program, deploying one fellow per LGA, improved accountability and innovation at the grassroots level.
IV. Health Insurance Expansion
Health insurance coverage expanded dramatically, with 4 million new enrollees in one year, bringing the total to 20 million Nigerians covered under NHIS by May 2025. Additionally, the introduction of a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund provided financial risk protection for cancer patients and those requiring dialysis.
V. Financing & Investments
The health budget doubled from ₦1.17 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.71 trillion in 2025. Through blended financing, over $3.4 billion was mobilized, including $1 billion for Project HOPE, a program aimed at improving PHC quality and resilience.
VI. Local Manufacturing & Healthcare Value Chain
Through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), import duties were waived on pharmaceutical raw materials, attracting 40+ private manufacturers and 6 global firms, including partnerships with Siemens (medical imaging) and Abbott (rapid diagnostics). There is over 70 bankable projects, collectively worth $5Bn, €1Bn from European Investment Bank and $1Bn from Afrexim Bank.
VII. Tertiary Healthcare Strengthening
Over 503 projects were executed across 61 tertiary hospitals, with new cancer treatment centers established to reduce medical tourism.
VIII. Immunization & Disease Control
Nigeria achieved 96% HPV vaccination coverage for adolescent girls, vaccinated 105,000 children against malaria, distributed 20 million bed nets, treated 405,000 new TB cases with a 94% success rate, and introduced the first Mpox vaccine in Africa.
IX. Citizen Confidence
Public trust in the health sector rose from 30% in 2023 to 47% in 2024, with 54% of Nigerians expressing confidence in the government’s ability to manage health emergencies.
Nigeria’s journey to greatness has begun, generations to come will cherish the sacrifices and efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in charting the new trajectory. — Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate
*Challenges and Ongoing Reforms*
Despite these gains, systemic bottlenecks remain. Shortages of skilled personnel, rural-urban disparities in service delivery, and drug supply chain inefficiencies continue to hinder progress. Brain drain persists, with thousands of doctors seeking opportunities abroad.
To address these issues, the government is:
I. Expanding digital health technologies, including telemedicine platforms to reach underserved communities.
II. Implementing incentive packages to retain health workers, including housing schemes and performance-based pay.
III. Strengthening local manufacturing capacity to reduce dependence on imports and improve drug availability.
IV. Enhancing emergency preparedness systems, particularly for outbreaks like cholera and Lassa fever.
*Conclusion*
President Tinubu’s 2023 declaration, “health is back on the front burner”, is no longer rhetoric but a living reality, with lasting implications for millions of Nigerians. This transformation stands not just as a national achievement, but as a blueprint for Africa’s path to universal health coverage and robust health security.
Two years into the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria’s health sector is on a path of irreversible transformation. Through strategic investments, policy reforms, and strong leadership, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate has repositioned healthcare as a driver of national development. While challenges persist, the foundations for universal health coverage, resilient systems, and a robust healthcare value chain have been laid.
Nigeria’s journey to self-reliance, equity, and innovation in healthcare has only begun, but the Renewed Hope reforms have set a benchmark for Africa and the world.
Written by Tijani Taofeek Bamidele
