…….Coordinating Minister calls for sustained discipline, collective commitment and stronger collaboration to consolidate gains in the health sector.
Abuja, 12 November 2026 – The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has described Nigeria’s health sector reform journey as a gradual but systematic transformation, emphasising that sustained investment, institutional accountability and results-based financing are critical to improving health outcomes across the country.
The Minister stated this while delivering his closing remarks at the 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR), where he commended the Federal and State Governments, implementing agencies, development partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful implementation of the IMPACT project.
Professor Pate traced Nigeria’s health reform journey to 2004, highlighting successive policy and financing initiatives, including the National Health Act 2014, which established the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), as significant milestones in strengthening health sector governance and improving access to essential healthcare services.
He explained that Nigeria’s approach to health financing had evolved from investments primarily focused on infrastructure, equipment and other inputs to results-based financing, which prioritises measurable improvements in health outcomes, identifying the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP), Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results and the IMPACT project as important stages in this transition.
According to the Minister, the IMPACT project, approved in 2020 with $650 million in financing, served as a bridge between traditional investment lending and a stronger national health financing and delivery system, preparing the ground for the next phase of reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) programme introduced in 2023.
Professor Pate noted that the achievements recorded over the past three years demonstrated what could be accomplished when the Federal Government, State Governments, Local Governments and development partners align their investments around common priorities, strengthen accountability and focus on measurable results.
He, however, stressed that sustaining the gains would require discipline, collective political will and continued collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly in improving maternal and child health outcomes and strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
The Coordinating Minister disclosed that the next phase of the reform would build on the institutional mechanisms and partnerships established under IMPACT, including the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and additional development financing, with support from partners such as the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Global Fund.
He expressed optimism that sustained implementation of the reforms would position Nigeria’s health system to outperform comparable countries within the next five to ten years, while calling on political leaders, state commissioners, health institutions and development partners to remain committed to health as a strategic investment in the country’s present and future.
Professor Pate congratulated the project implementation teams, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, relevant agencies, State Commissioners for Health and the World Bank for their contributions, noting that the completion of IMPACT should be viewed not as the end of the reform journey but as another milestone in Nigeria’s continuing health sector transformation.
Mean while, the Federal Government, State Governments and other health sector stakeholders have agreed on 12 priority actions to accelerate the implementation of Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reforms, strengthen accountability and improve access to quality healthcare services across the country.
The resolutions were contained in the communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of Nigeria’s Health Sector, under the theme, “Together to Higher Ground: Make Reforms Data Count.”
According to the communique presented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S. mni, at the close of the 3- day review said participants acknowledged significant progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint 2023–2027, particularly in primary healthcare functionality, maternal and newborn health, emergency medical services, health insurance coverage, HPV vaccination and increased investment through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The review also recognised the commencement of local production of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets as an important milestone in strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity, reducing import dependence and improving national health security.
However, stakeholders identified persistent challenges requiring urgent attention, including shortages and inequitable distribution of health workers, quality of healthcare, non-communicable diseases, domestic resource mobilisation, public financial management, regulation of healthcare facilities and accountability.
To address these gaps, participants resolved to strengthen public financial management and BHCPF accountability; operationalise the National Human Resources for Health Programme; accelerate certification of primary healthcare facilities; expand BHCPF-supportedinterventions in high-burden communities; strengthen local manufacturing of health commodities; and support NAFDAC to attain WHO Maturity Level 4 by 2027.
Other resolutions include institutionalising community-led monitoring and referral systems, strengthening DHIS2 as the national health data reporting platform, increasing domestic health financing, improving the equitable distribution of health workers, expanding emergency medical services and promoting stronger state and community ownership of health sector reforms.
The review emphasised that 2027, being the final year of implementation of the current Health Sector Strategic Blueprint,requires intensified efforts, evidence-driven decision-making and stronger collaboration among all stakeholders to translate policy commitments into measurable improvements in health outcomes.
Stakeholders consequently reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the agreed resolutions through measurable and time-bound actions, ensuring that all Nigerians, particularly women, children and vulnerable populations, have improved access to quality, affordable and equitable healthcare services.
The review, convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, brought together the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom S. mni; Honourable Commissioners for Health, development partners, members of the National Assembly, professional associations, civil society organisations, private sector representatives and other critical stakeholders.
The closing session, was coloured by presentations of awards to important personalities including the Honourable Ministers of health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate and Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Daju Kachollom S. mni.
Ado Bako
Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations.
