………..Nigeria, First Country to Mark National Health Promotion Day.
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles among Nigerians as a national priority.
Speaking at a press briefing Wednesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 National Health Promotion Day, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said health promotion remains central to achieving universal health coverage, reducing disease burden and improving national productivity. He was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom mni.
This year’s celebration, with the theme “Health Promotion: The Catalyst for Sustainable Health and Well-being of Nigerians 2.0” and the slogan “Promoting Healthy Choices for Healthy Lifestyles,” highlights the role of prevention and community health awareness in building a healthier nation.
“Our slogan is a call to action for every Nigerian- to make informed decisions about what we eat, how we live, and how we care for our environment”; the Coordinating Minister further emphasized.
Prof. Pate said the government was prioritizing health promotion as the foundation of preventive care, noting that many life-threatening diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and other non-communicable illnesses could be prevented through lifestyle changes and community awareness.
He explained that health promotion empowers individuals with knowledge and positive behavioral change, particularly among women, children, adolescents and the elderly. He added that it is more cost-effective than treatment, stating that for every ₦1 invested in prevention, the country saves ₦6 in treatment costs.
According to him, Nigeria became the first country in the world to institutionalize National Health Promotion Day on October 29 2024, demonstrating the nation’s leadership in advancing public health and preventive medicine. He added that the commemoration has now become a national platform for mobilizing stakeholders around health awareness and community wellness.
Prof. Pate said this year’s “2.0” version of the theme represents a digital upgrade in the delivery of health promotion interventions.
“The government is now leveraging digital innovations such as mobile health applications, telemedicine platforms, SMS awareness campaigns and online learning tools to reach underserved populations and ensure that accurate health information is accessible to all Nigerians.”
He disclosed that the National Health Promotion Policy developed by the Ministry is focused on empowering citizens and strengthening health literacy across the country.
“The policy supports community-based education on disease prevention and healthy lifestyles; national campaigns on hygiene, nutrition, mental health and physical activity; early screening programmes for chronic illnesses; and integration of health awareness into school curricula. It also encourages collaboration among government sectors, private organizations, traditional institutions and international development partners to deepen health awareness.”
The Minister called on stakeholders to support the implementation of the policy nationwide, strengthen preventive interventions especially for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and elderly health, expand access to health education in rural and vulnerable communities, and promote partnerships among government agencies, private sector players and civil society groups. He added that traditional and religious leaders must also be engaged to normalize health-seeking behaviour in communities, while digital platforms should be used to monitor and scale public health messaging.
In her welcome remarks, the Director Family Health Department FMoHSW, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, said preventive healthcare is one of the major pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She noted that health promotion is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to reduce disease burden, increase productivity, improve quality of life and support national development.
She stated that the Ministry will continue to drive a multisectoral approach to health promotion by integrating it not only into public health policies, but also in education, labour, environment and housing sectors. She commended local and international partners for their continued support in strengthening community health systems.
Dr. Ukaire urged Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyles by making informed decisions about diet, physical activity, hygiene and environmental sanitation. She encouraged schools, workplaces, religious centres and community groups to actively promote preventive health practices.
Several Goodwill messages were delivered by notable local and international partners, which further strengthen the importance of the commemoration: these partners include World Health Organization WHO, Society for Family Health SFH, Nutrition International NI, International Rescue IR, Pathfinder, PPFN, JYPIEGO, CCSI and, MSI.
Amongst the events scheduled for the 2025 National Health Promotion Day Commemoration include health talks, road shows/ community sensitization, fitness activities, nutrition counseling and free health screenings : as part of efforts to promote wellness and disease prevention across the country.
Signed
Alaba Balogun
Deputy Director/Head, Information
& Public Relations
29 October 2025
