Category: Health

FG orders immediate suspension of sachet Alcohol ban enforcement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has directed an immediate halt to all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, pending the completion of consultations and the issuance of a final policy directive.   The order was issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) following concerns raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control over the planned enforcement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).   In…

2025 UHC Day: Nigeria intensifies push against high healthcare costs

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending unaffordable healthcare and expanding access to quality health services for all Nigerians, as federal and state authorities, alongside international development partners, renewed calls for stronger financing, accountability and collaboration to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).   Speaking at the 2025 Universal Health Coverage Day celebration in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the Tinubu administration is determined to ensure that no Nigerian is forced to choose between seeking medical care and meeting basic…

NBSA, Journalists, other stakeholders push for voluntary blood donation as Nigeria marks 2025 National Blood Donor Day

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) on Monday marked the 2025 National Blood Donor Day with a renewed call for stronger media advocacy to boost voluntary blood donation across Nigeria. This year’s commemoration held in Abuja with the theme “From Headlines to Lifelines: Media Advocacy for Voluntary Blood Donation” and the slogan “Your Story Could Save a Life.” The event brought together media executives, health agencies, donor associations, civil society groups, and other key stakeholders. In his keynote address, the Director-General of the National Blood Service Commission, Prof. Saleh Yuguda,…

FG launches Nigeria Power for Health Initiative to end hospital blackouts nationwide

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a landmark program aimed at guaranteeing uninterrupted and sustainable electricity supply to health facilities across the country. The inauguration took place at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare headquarters in Abuja on Monday. The initiative, formally launched by the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziq Adekunle Salako, seek to tackle the long-standing issue of power insufficiency in hospitals, a challenge that has frequently disrupted health services and endangered lives. “Energy insufficiency…

FG reviews NAFDAC’s planned sachet alcohol ban as SGF seeks Health Ministry’s clarification

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government is re-evaluating the proposed enforcement of the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages and 200ml PET bottle spirits, earlier slated for December 2025, following a request for detailed clarification from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.   This followed a formal correspondence dated 1st December 2025, issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) through the Permanent Secretary (General Services), M.S. Danjuma. The letter referenced concerns raised by the House Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control regarding NAFDAC’s…

Nigeria charts new course for health sector as 66th National Council on Health ends in Calabar

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s health sector took a major step forward as the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) concluded its week-long session at the Calabar International Convention Centre from November 17–21, 2025. The event brought together 1,243 delegates, including federal and state health officials, development partners, civil society representatives, regulatory bodies, and medical corps from the armed forces and para-military agencies.   Presided over by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Council focused on the theme, “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Through…

DSGN to launch pioneering genetic project targeting malaria transmission in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Diaspora Solution Group Nigeria (DSGN) is set to launch a cutting-edge scientific initiative designed to disrupt malaria transmission by genetically inhibiting the breeding and infectious capacity of the female Anopheles mosquito Nigeria’s most notorious malaria vector.   The initiative, formally known as the Malaria Attenuation Project, will be inaugurated on December 20, 2025, at Aloha Hotel & Resort in Osogbo, Osun State. It signals a bold shift in Nigeria’s malaria control strategy, moving from conventional interventions to advanced genetic science.   Led by a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian and…

FG, Cross River renew push for Universal Health Coverage at 66th National Council on Health

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government and the Cross River State Government have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) opened on Thursday in Calabar.   Declaring the council meeting open, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu represented by Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey said the gathering reflected the shared responsibility of federal and state governments to strengthen primary healthcare, expand financial protection, and ensure equitable access for all Nigerians.   He outlined ongoing reforms in the…

Nigeria unveils major Tobacco control breakthroughs at WHO COP11, cites landmark $110m fine on BATN

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has announced significant progress in its implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), showcasing sharp declines in tobacco use and strengthened regulatory actions, including the landmark $110 million fine recently imposed on British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN).   Delivering Nigeria’s high-level statement at the WHO FCTC Conference of Parties (COP11) in Geneva on Monday, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to a tobacco-free future and alignment with the African Group. He commended the COP11 leadership…

FG reaffirms citizen-centred health policy as 66th NCH Technical session opens in Calabar

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to placing Nigerians at the heart of health policy and decision-making as the Technical Session of the 66th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) opened on Monday in Calabar, Cross River State. Declaring the session open, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, mni, said the 2025 NCH theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience and Innovation” reflected the administration’s resolve to deepen citizen engagement and advance Universal Health Coverage…